This is what the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition has been pushing for. The Scottish Government is only committed to a 90% emissions reduction target by 2050, so Labour is going the extra 10%. And the party is backing a 77% 2030 target.
Scottish Labour's new policy, announced by Claudia Beamish MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change, Environment and Land Reform, also includes the Just Transition Partnership’s call for the new Just Transition Commission to be in the Bill, set up on a statutory long-term basis.
The JTP’s co-chair, Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary of the STUC, welcomed the Just Transition commitment, said that unions see tackling climate change as a moral imperative, and stressed the importance of a statutory Just Transition Commission.
UNISON is a member of the JTP and of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. If you haven't already, please support the SCCS E-Action, calling on MSPs to improve the Bill so we can end Scotland's contribution to climate change within a generation.
Here are the press releases from the STUC and SCCS, including the full comments from Dave Moxham, and a welcome from SCCS. The Labour press release is copied below.
Press Release: STUC RESPONDS TO SCOTTISH LABOUR CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY
Welcoming Scottish Labour’s commitment to put a Just Transition at the heart of their plans to tackle climate change, Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and co-chair of the Just Transition Partnership, said:
“Scotland’s trade
unions are clear that tackling climate change is a moral imperative and
Scotland must play its part in reducing emissions. However, targets must
not be met at the expense of the workforce and communities which currently
extract or depend on the use of fossil fuels. That is why a Just Transition for
workers and communities is so important.
“A statutory Just
Transition Commission, involving workers with real frontline experience in the
development of a proper industrial strategy, offers the opportunity to reduce
emissions while creating new, good quality jobs and benefiting communities
across Scotland.”
NOTES
The Just Transition
Partnership was formed by Friends of the Earth Scotland and the STUC in 2016.
Membership includes Unite Scotland, UNISON Scotland, UCU Scotland, CWU
Scotland, PCS Scotland and WWF Scotland.
Press Release sent on behalf
of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland
SCOTTISH LABOUR ANNOUNCES
BACKING OF NET ZERO EMISSIONS TARGET – SCCS comment
Responding to the announcement today (Monday) of Scottish Labour’s long-term Climate Change Bill policy, which sets a target
for Scotland to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the
latest, Gina Hanrahan of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said:
“It’s great to see Scottish Labour back calls for the upcoming
Climate Change Bill to include a target to end Scotland’s contribution to
climate change by 2050 at the latest and increased action over the
next decade. It’s now up to all parties in the Scottish Parliament to come
together, as they did in 2009, to ensure we continue to be amongst the world
leading nations in tackling climate change.
“Labour’s commitment to a Just Transition Commission in the Bill is also
to be welcomed. Such a commission would ensure that the transition to a
zero-carbon economy supports workers and communities, and creates new, green
jobs.
“No country on earth will be left untouched by the worsening
consequences of a failure to move fast. While we’ve enjoyed a period of record
warm weather; the extremes of heat experienced around the world this year
and over recent years can mean increased mortality, drought, fire, hunger
and crop failure. We have all the solutions we need now to get us on the right
pathway. Good policies to tackle climate change can help us avoid the worst
impacts, but also bring new jobs, cleaner air, and reduced burdens on our NHS.
MSPs of all parties need to act together so Scotland can play its part and
enjoy all those benefits.”
Ends
NEWS FROM SCOTTISH LABOUR
NEWS: SCOTTISH LABOUR LAUNCHES
CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY WITH CLEAR TARGETS TO REACH NET ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050
Scottish Labour will today today (Monday, August 13th)
announced its long-term Climate Change Bill policy, which sets a target for
Scotland to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest.
This plan is in contrast with the Scottish Government, who
propose reducing emissions by 90% by 2050.
Labour proposes a pathway to zero emissions with interim
targets of a 56% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and 77% by
2030, supported by a Just Transition Commission.
Launching the policy at the BRE Innovation Park at
Ravenscraig, Claudia Beamish MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change,
Environment and Land Reform will say that it is an “immensely
important instrument for Scotland’s future and our standing in the global
community.”
The BRE Innovation Park, situated on the site of the former
Ravenscraig Steel works, showcases bold inclusive future opportunities with its
full-scale demonstration buildings displaying innovative design, materials and
technologies for low carbon living. BRE engages with New College Lanarkshire,
highlighting how vital the development of initial and transferable skills will
be as we progress towards net zero emissions.
Scottish Labour will continue to engage with trade unions,
businesses, local government, and the third sector to develop the plans for
long-term climate action and the ‘Just Transition’ for workers.
Claudia Beamish MSP, Scottish
Labour Spokesperson for Climate Change, said:
“This summer has been another of record high temperatures,
prolonged heatwaves, and extreme weather. It is our duty to step up for
global climate justice, and Scottish Labour’s climate policy addresses these
obligations, while giving Scotland time to adapt in a just way for the
workforce and communities.
“This policy recognises the huge inequality in Scotland’s
current and historic greenhouse gas emissions, compared to other parts of the
world. The most catastrophic effects of climate change are impacting on
the lives and environments of those who did the least to cause it, and this
policy recognises greater ambition is needed for those at the front line of
facing the effects of climate change.
“Inter-generational justice is also central to this
policy. We cannot push the job of tackling climate change onto the
shoulders of the young. We need interim targets of 56% by 2020, and 77%
by 2030, to ensure we start to act now.
“Based on Scotland’s historical emissions since the
Industrial Revolution, and per capita wealth, Scottish Labour has concluded we
must hit net zero emissions by 2050, at the latest.
“The SNP Government’s draft Bill is far too timid, and
ignored the 99% of consultation respondents who called for steeper targets.
“Scottish Labour has always led actions for fair economic
transformation and social justice. Ambitious targets mean a clear signal to
markets; giving confidence to businesses, investors, and communities. Action
must now be spread fairly across all sectors and wider society.
“Scottish Labour will always be the party of the workers,
and a statutory, long-term ‘Just Transition Commission’ must be in the Climate
Change Bill to safeguard our communities and jobs against injustice.
“For the sake of those on the frontline of climate change
around the world, for our beautiful planet, and for our children: no more
complacency – now for real ambition.”
BRE Housing and Energy Director
Lori McElroy added:
"When making decisions about targets for emissions and
energy efficiency, we should start from the premise of making the best use of
scarce resources and impacts on people. Over a quarter of Scotland’s
households are still living in fuel poverty – that's 650,000 homes – this is
where our efforts need to be focused.
“Research suggests that the improvement of existing homes
could support up to 6,500 jobs throughout Scotland over the next ten years,
giving a much-needed boost to the Scottish economy. BRE is working
closely with New College Lanarkshire to support skills and training in this
area.
"Poorly heated, damp and cold homes can pose
significant health risks for people. In the winter of 2016/17, an
additional 2,720 people died during the winter months in Scotland, compared
with the average for the rest of the year. The World Health Organisation
has in the past estimated that 30% of such deaths are attributable to cold
homes.
“The BRE Innovation Park@Ravenscraig exists to test
solutions to our ageing building stock – showcasing new ways of thinking about
constructing new and retrofitting existing buildings, allowing innovative
approaches to be tested in a safe environment. Our research shows that better,
warmer, safer homes not only promote better quality of life for people but
could also save the NHS in Scotland around £60m per year.”
ENDS
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