New year message
Posted on December 31, 2008New year messages from politicians rarely see out such an extraordinary year, nor anticipate such a crucial moment in world affairs.
2008 has seen unprecedented events in the economy, with impacts in every country as well as in every high street and household in Scotland. Many would have called these events unpredicted, but for years there have been clear Green criticisms of the way global markets are run, based on ever-increasing debt and ever-growing consumption of finite resources, like oil, with no regard for the impact on people or on the world we depend on.
Instead we have sought to present an alternative vision, based on sustainable values and the careful use of limited resources. At the same time we have challenged the dominance of a debt culture which sets young people out in life already saddled with huge overdrafts, and which allows global traders to pursue their short term interests by endlessly trading non-existent assets which bear no relation to anything actually produced.
This crisis in capitalism is described by most simply as a ‘downturn’. In fact it’s a symptom of the broken politics and economics which has been so dominant in Scotland, the UK and the world for decades.
2008 has also seen dramatic changes in the global response to climate change. Despite ever-clearer scientific evidence that we’re risking the future of our civilisation itself, most politicians are still demonstrating breathtaking inaction, or worse still the kind of hypocrisy which presents climate-wrecking policies with an eco-friendly spin. Europe, once perceived as a world leader on climate change, has turned on its heel and made formal policy of this kind of hypocrisy. Meanwhile the world waits to see whether President-elect Obama makes good on his promise to be the human embodiment of Change. The US does have the opportunity to re-write the rules of the game, and it’s essential that other countries, including our own, set high expectations.
Those who serve the interests of unfettered free-market capitalism used to openly oppose environmental policies as ‘climate sceptics’. In 2009 we face the danger that they succeed with a new strategy by arguing that the environmental threat must be ignored because times are hard economically. But a moment’s thought should tell us that when finances are tight in households, in business and in the public purse, there’s no better time to stop wasting our resources. When energy prices are high there’s no better time to break our dependency on expensive fossil fuels. This transition can be achieved, and there’s much that the Scottish Parliament can do about it, like insulating Scottish homes and creating ‘green collar jobs’ in the process. There’s much to do to begin the transition to a low-carbon, low-energy, low-waste society, and in 2009 Scotland must learn national lessons from the communities which are starting this work locally.
In 2008, we have shown what just two Green MSPs can do, like creating the Climate Challenge Fund to empower those visionary communities and begin that transition. In 2009 we must see what the whole Scottish Parliament can do to make that transition nationally. The Scottish Green Party will continue to make the case for a shift to true sustainability and a better quality of life, in the interests of Scottish people, our economy and society, and the environment we all depend on for survival.
Trump decision is an environmental death warrant
Posted on December 16, 2008Today’s decision by Scottish Government to approve the Trump holiday complex confirms that the SNP administration’s lack of interest in protecting Scotland’s natural heritage, the Scottish Greens said.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“The SNP have today signed the death warrant for a unique and irreplaceable part of Scotland’s environment, and a heavy price will have to be paid for this obscene vanity project. The fact that this project has been approved in its entirety demonstrates a blatant disregard for the legal protections these dunes are under.
“It’s inconceivable that John Swinney could think that the interests of the north east are best served by bulldozing some of the area’s most beautiful landscape to keep an American billionaire happy. Trump’s plan is to build luxury holiday homes for foreign visitors who may never come, a golf course that few will play, and homes that few will be able to afford. We can only hope that the current economic crisis tears a hole in his business plan, and that he fails to get the money he needs to fund the project. Even the credit crunch must surely have a silver lining.”
Notes
1. See: www.scotland.gov.uk
Planning proposals are digging a deep hole
Posted on December 12, 2008Today’s publication of the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 (NPF2) confirms that the SNP Government’s priorities continue to centre on fossil fuels, both in terms of transport and power generation. (1) The Scottish Government admit that just four of the twelve projects identified will help meet climate change targets, and one of those includes a new fossil fuel power station. (2)
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“There are some positive projects being confirmed today, but the overall vision is outdated, inconsistent, and arbitrary. This document will, if approved, force roads and airport expansions through, but it leaves cycling and public transport projects as just nice ideas to consider some other day.
“Ministers talk a good game on the environment, and if you ignore the specific proposals set out today it might sound impressive. However, the fact is that the SNP’s plans will aggravate climate change and miss easy opportunities on both energy and transport. They have left projects on the shelf which could improve people’s quality of life, cut transport costs and journey times, and reduce fuel bills.
“Scotland has been left in a deep hole by the previous administration, but the SNP seem determined to keep digging. Airport expansion was always going to be the key test of their environmental credentials, and they’ve been found wanting again. Vague aspirations, meaningless ambitions and woolly language are not enough, and Greens will therefore oppose these proposals when they come before Parliament.”
Notes
1. See: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/12/12093953/0
2. See pages 68-80.
Transport priorities would have been out of date in the ’60s!
Posted on December 10, 2008The Strategic Transport Projects Review published today by the Scottish Government shows that the SNP’s prime concern remains motorway expansion, not public transport. Several billion pounds were today allocated to new roads projects, including for a Dundee bypass and widening of the A9.
The projects being prioritised show complete disregard for Scotland’s long-term economic interest, and are also completely inconsistent with the draft Climate Change Bill published last week, Greens argue.
The Scottish Government claims that these schemes will save more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, although there is no detailed evidence to support this figure. However, even assuming this number is accurate, the other projects already backed by the SNP will lead to 267,000 tonnes of extra carbon dioxide each year. (1)
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“This is a national transport plan that would have been out of date in the 1960s, let alone in 2008. Less than a week ago, the Climate Change Bill promised to reduce emissions, but the Transport Minister’s announcements today will make it harder than ever to meet those targets. Campaigners across Scotland have called on the Government to put the brakes on runaway climate change, but instead Ministers have just stepped on the gas.
“The cost of public transport continues to rise, and services are creaking. Ministers had a golden opportunity to improve Scotland’s buses and trains, and to make them affordable for all, but instead they have chosen to waste billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on vanity projects. The schemes announced today are driven by one single objective: photo opportunities with Ministers in hard hats and press releases claiming spurious ‘investment in communities’.
“Despite the name, this has not been a real review, nor does it show any sign of strategic thinking. Scotland deserves better.”
Notes
1. See the following written answer: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/default.aspx?pq=S3W-13874
Six key changes needed in Climate Bill
Posted on December 5, 2008The Scottish Government today published its long-awaited draft Climate Change Bill. (1) The Scottish Greens welcomed the proposals, which are significantly better than the initial proposals set out by Ministers, but the party also set out six key areas where Parliament should act to strengthen the proposals. Greens plan to work with other parties, including the SNP where possible, to amend the Bill in these areas.
i. Accountability. The Bill currently contains no consequences for Ministers who miss their targets. Given that they are responsible for their success or failure, Ministers need to know what will happen if they fail. (2)
ii. Urgency. The current proposal for annual targets suggests a very relaxed start, with very low reductions in emissions until 2020. Earlier shifts will make the biggest difference to Scotland’s overall contribution to climate change and provide better opportunities to gain the competitive advantages a low carbon economy will bring. A stronger start is therefore needed. (3)
iii. Domestic action. The draft Bill contains no limit set on the proportion of Scotland’s emissions reductions which can be “bought in” through international credits. It is vital that all or almost all of these reductions are actually achieved here in Scotland. Support for emissions reductions in developing countries is vitally important, but it not a substitute for putting our own house in order. (4)
iv. Scientific independence. The Bill proposes to use the UK Climate Change Committee to provide scientific advice, and to allow Ministers to create a Scottish version if they see fit. However, the Scottish Committee would, if the Bill is unamended, be appointed by Scottish Ministers, not Parliament, which reduces its independence and credibility, not least because Ministers do not always have a working majority in Parliament. (5)
v. Scale. The Bill proposes a long term 2050 target of 80% reductions in Scotland’s emissions, but the evidence from the internationally-respected Tyndall Centre and others is that a 90% reduction will be required over this same period. (6)
vi. Policy shift. The Scottish Government’s policies as currently designed will aggravate climate change, especially in the areas of transport, energy and demand reduction. Ministers cannot promote airport expansion and a massive road-building programme and simultaneously deliver a credible policy on climate change. The Bill does move towards discussion of the implications for each sector of the economy, but does not mandate sector by sector targets and an action plan to deliver them. (7)
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“This Bill is a very worthwhile starting point, but though there are still too many loopholes and too much vague language. During 2009 we will see whether Parliament can rise to the challenge and build on this proposal. I believe it can be the foundation for the most effective legislation yet delivered on climate change anywhere in the world, but it still needs a lot of work.
“Ministers have proposed a framework for binding annual emissions targets all the way through to 2050, which is vital. However, it makes no sense whatsoever to bring in reductions of at least 3% a year from 2020 onwards, while permitting the smallest imaginable reductions during the eleven years before that. Even the SNP manifesto last year committed them to making annual reductions of 3% straight away, while we believe the science shows that reductions of nearer 4.5% will be needed for Scotland to play its part.
“Greens welcome the shift Ministers have made to include aviation and shipping, as well as the progress made so far on a Scottish Committee to monitor and advise on future targets. Although the SNP have edged a little closer to proper sector-by-sector targets for reductions, this part of the Bill is still far too vague. Whatever the legislation says in the end, though, the bottom line remains the need for policy change. If the SNP force through expansion of airports and ever more motorways, history will remember those decisions, not this Bill.”
On the urgency and scale of the cuts, the Scottish Government’s own Council of Economic Advisers issued the following warning on this issue today:
“To reduce emissions by 80% will require an annual rate of reduction averaging more than 3%. The reduction likely to be achieved by 2011 is not sufficient to put Scotland on that downward trajectory. Moreover, without the prospect of further major shifts in the structure of the Scottish economy, even this pace of change will be harder to achieve in future.”
Notes
1. See: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/17-ClimateChange/b17s3-introd.pdf
2. See Section 31, which merely requires Ministers to submit a further report.
3. See Section 3 (2).
4. Section 12 discusses carbon units and the ways they can be used to offset other emissions.
5. See Schedule 1, Section 2 (3).
6. See Section 1 (1).
7. See Section 30.
8. See their report, published today, paragraph 4.4:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/252027/0073770.pdf
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