Green campaigners deliver manifestos to Scottish parties

Environmental campaigners are set to deliver their manifesto to Holyrood's political parties, calling on Scotland to play its part in tackling climate change.

Stop Climate Caos Scotland previously held a November march in Edinburgh to support the Paris climate change talks held by world leaders. Image: TSPL

Cyclists from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland will ride around Edinburgh delivering copies to the offices of the Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the SNP.

The group wants commitments set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to be met, including targets to reduce emissions by 42 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050.

Its manifesto calls on the parties to make energy efficiency of Scotland’s homes a national infrastructure project, deliver a Warm Homes Act, build a low-carbon Scotland through capital investment decisions and commit to a meaningful shift to public transport and active travel.

It also wants new air passenger duty powers to be used to cut climate emissions, support for climate justice and a commitment to an ‘’ambitious land use strategy action plan’’.

Campaigner Jim Densham said: ‘’Communities across Scotland are coming together to create their own clean energy, to build green transport systems and to adopt low-carbon lifestyles.

“Before the UN climate talks in Paris, thousands of us marched in Edinburgh as part of a global movement for real climate action.

‘’Now is the time for the political parties to match that commitment and enthusiasm.

‘’During the last Scottish Parliament, we repeatedly failed to meet our climate targets. That simply can’t continue.

“The policies set out in our manifesto are reasonable and achievable, and will take us towards a new clean, green economy with benefits for all of us.’’

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland had originally planned this event for last Thursday but it had to be cancelled due to severe weather from Storm Gertrude.

Campaigns manager Gail Wilson said: “We weren’t immune to the exceptionally bad weather many Scots have been experiencing recently and last week it wasn’t safe for us to be out in the strong winds.

“Climate scientists have linked the changing weather patterns to climate change, and these links are becoming clearer.”

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