Nicola Sturgeon to issue climate plea during US trip

Nicola Sturgeon is to urge world leaders not to break promises made during COP26 in the face of international strains including the war in Ukraine.

In an address to the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, the First Minister will warn the world is on course to exceed both 1.5 degrees of global warming and the 2 degree threshold, with “catastrophic” effects.

She will say: “We have seen the rules-based international order come under increasing strain, made more severe due to Russia’s brutal, illegal and entirely unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

"Many European nations are reassessing their defence and security priorities – however, the security debates in Europe are not just about military capabilities and strategic alliances.

Picture: Peter Summers/Getty Images

"The invasion of Ukraine is also forcing countries in Europe to rethink long-held assumptions about energy policy and energy security.

“Countries must prioritise, as far as we can, an approach to energy security that focuses on sustainability, with measures to promote energy efficiency, and to accelerate the development renewable and low carbon energy.”

Ms Sturgeon will add: “Scotland is positioning ourselves as a testbed for green technologies – we are the location for the world’s largest floating windfarm, we are an established centre for the development and testing of new wave and tidal technologies, we have developed plans to trial carbon capture and storage, and we produced a hydrogen action plan last year.

"Our hope is that this innovation can benefit other countries, and create jobs and opportunities at home in Scotland.

“We need to move at pace to develop clean energy sources and act in a way which shows solidarity with communities in our countries who might otherwise get left behind, and with the global south.

“Europe’s debates on energy security matter to the wider safety and security of the entire world. Where we can, will be a constructive partner in those discussions.

"We will lead by example in our own actions, we will contribute to international energy security, and we will work with allies across the globe as we strive, together, to build a fairer, more secure and more sustainable world.”

Ms Sturgeon will meet congressional groups and business leaders during her two-day visit to the US.

The Conservatives have called the trip an "indy tour" and accused the First Minister of promoting independence abroad at taxpayers' expense.