SNP ministers under fire over climate change

MINISTERS were attacked for a “deeply disappointing” record on tackling climate change after figures showed the Scottish government had missed its target for reducing harmful emissions for the fourth year in a row.

Scottish greenhouse gas emissions fell by 3.6 per cent between 2012 and 2013 to 53 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2e), the figures laid before parliament showed.

However, the target was missed by 1.7 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent.

Environment minister Dr Aileen McLeod said the missed target was due to a change in the way data is collected and that Scotland was well placed to deliver on its obligations.

She said that Scotland is “clearly on track to meet its interim 2020 target” for reducing climate change with a 42 per cent cut in emissions by 2020.

However, Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said the ministerial statement to MSPs today “reeks of complacency” as she criticised the SNP’s record on tackling climate change.

Conservative MSP Alex Fergusson said the government missing the target four years running was “deeply disappointing”.