Scottish Government’s ‘missed opportunities’ highlighted in climate report

The Scottish government has been told their response to climate change is “good, but could still do better” by a climate emergency group.

The report from the Climate Emergency Response Group (CERG) said there had been positive progress since the First Minister announced a climate emergency in Spring 2019.

The findings noted that despite some delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of new “green recovery” opportunities have been missed.

Scoring the Scottish government’s reaction to the group’s climate proposals, CERG said 33% have a green rating, 57% an amber rating, and 10% have a red rating.

(Photo by Andy Buchanan - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The group has called on the Scottish government to use its Climate Change Plan update and budget, expected in the next few months, to improve these ratings and make recommendations on how this could be done.

David Reay, professor of Carbon Management at the University of Edinburgh, said: “The Scottish Government’s commitments on green jobs and skills are hugely welcome.

“With money so very tight and so many livelihoods at risk this is exactly the time to super-charge investment in the creation of green jobs, and in the low carbon training and skills they require.

“These proposals are ‘shovel ready’ and can create jobs, starting today, all over Scotland.”

Fabrice Leveque, head of policy at WWF Scotland said: “We welcome the steps the Scottish Government has taken to tackle the climate emergency, but more needs to be done.

“Nature can provide vital solutions and so it’s important that we start to reform our food system and protect our carbon rich habitats.”

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