NEWS RELEASE – First Minister challenged on aviation

Green MSP Patrick Harvie today used First Minister’s Questions to challenge Alex Salmond over SNP plans on aviation. His administration voted for the Climate Change Bill’s 42% emissions target in June 2009, but still support aviation expansion across Scotland.

The First Minister was asked his view on the UK Climate Change Committee’s report earlier this week, which shows that the projected 200% increase in air travel by 2050 is incompatible with emissions targets. (1) The Committee also confirms that even a 60% increase in aviation would require 90% cuts in emissions elsewhere in the UK economy to achieve an overall reduction of 80%. (2)

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“Setting targets is the easy bit, but the First Minister today could not or would not take the next step. The SNP’s lack of commitment here was apparent from the moment they declared airport expansion to be ‘national developments of strategic importance’ earlier this year.

“The UK Climate Change Committee could not have been clearer this week. Ministers in London and in Edinburgh have long supported unrestrained aviation growth, but now it’s time to change. The choice is between endless flying and tackling climate change, and the SNP seem determined to back the aviation lobby instead of the climate campaigners.”

Notes

1. For the full Committee report, see www.theccc.org.uk

The Committee’s press release is here.

2. This calculation is on p30 of the full report, available above.