Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the announcement of more than 100 ambitious new policies and proposals to support Scotland’s green recovery and help deliver a just transition to net zero.
They form part of the Climate Change Plan 2018 – 2032, which has been updated to reflect the world’s most ambitious climate targets as enshrined in Scotland’s Climate Change Act 2019.
The Plan includes:
– additional funding of £120 million for zero emission buses to accelerate the decarbonisation of Scotland’s bus fleet and support the Scottish supply chain.
– £50 million to support the creation of Active Freeways to provide sustainable transport links between our towns and cities
– £50 million to transform vacant and derelict land, ensuring that this land is utilised for maximum environmental and community benefit
– phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030
– creating 1 million zero-emission homes by 2030
Fiona commented:
“As a country, we face a huge challenge in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, but the climate emergency has not gone away – and it must be absolutely central to our recovery from this COVID crisis.
“I regularly speak in my role as Economy Secretary about building a well-being economy. I have engaged in discussions about recovery from the pandemic and the idea that Scotland should follow a path to obtain a well-being, net zero economy. We have a chance to rebuild our economy with climate change at the heart of our approach.
“Scotland has made significant progress in tackling climate change and building a greener economy, but we know there is still work to be done and the SNP Government is determined to learn lessons from this extraordinary year. These new targets show how committed the Scottish Government is to tackling climate change.
“Scotland is already a world-leader on tackling the climate crisis and delivering green energy. By contrast, Westminster has wasted years obsessing over nuclear power, with a complete lack of ambition over the energy technologies of the future.
“Climate change is without doubt the single biggest challenge we face, and the updated Climate Change Plan will help us achieve our contribution to combatting climate change, grow West Lothian’s economy and productivity, and improve the wellbeing of everyone who lives here.”
ENDS