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Scots 'can set climate example' Scotland at climate 'crossroads'
(about 17 hours later)
Scotland has the chance to become a "global leader" in the fight against climate change, a coalition of environmental groups has claimed. Ministers have called for public views on their plans to tackle climate change with an 80% cut in emissions by 2050.
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has produced a list of measures it says the country should introduce as an example to the rest of the world. Finance Secretary John Swinney said the country had reached a "crossroads" on deciding in what state to leave the planet to future generations.
The proposals were unveiled as the Scottish Government's consultation on its Climate Change Bill began. Meanwhile, the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) group produced a list of measures to address the issue.
The bill would set a mandatory target of cutting emissions by 80% by 2050. The government aims to bring forward legislation to parliament on its green proposals before the end of the year.
SCCS is an umbrella group for more than 30 organisations including Friends of the Earth Scotland, the Church of Scotland and The National Trust for Scotland. In the meantime, the plans - to be contained in Scotland's first Climate Change Bill - have been released for public consultation.
This could be one of the most positive and historically-significant bills in our lifetimes Mike RobinsonStop Climate Chaos Scotland We need to see clear legal duties for ministers, which parliament can hold them to each year Patrick HarvieGreen MSP
Chairman Mike Robinson said the Climate Change Bill was "Scotland's chance to really show world leadership." The measures also include annual monitoring on progress towards the 80% target and publishing independent advice on reducing emissions.
He added: "It is essential that we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by at least 3% every year, and this must be done in a sustainable way that respects our environment. Mr Swinney said: "The actions we take today can bring clear and tangible benefits to Scotland now and in the future.
"Climate change is not a future problem. For many of our friends in the developing world it already means a tougher environment in which to grow their crops, and for some it has meant that their homes have literally been washed away before their eyes. "Moving towards a low carbon economy can create new jobs and improve local environments as part of our drive to generate sustainable economic growth."
"Those of us living in the developed world simply must take responsibility for our actions and seriously cut back our emissions. The SCCS, an umbrella group for more than 30 organisations, including Friends of the Earth Scotland and the Church of Scotland, said Scotland had the chance to become a "global leader" in the fight against climate change.
"If the Scottish Government is prepared to actually walk the walk and not just talk the talk, this could be one of the most positive and historically-significant bills in our lifetimes." Chairman Mike Robinson said: "It is essential that we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by at least 3% every year, and this must be done in a sustainable way that respects our environment."
Scientific thinking READ THE CONSULTATION PAPER class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/29_01_08_climate.pdf">Climate change consultation [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
SCCS said it strongly supported the Scottish Government's intention to deliver an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which it believes better reflects current scientific thinking than the UK government's proposed 60% cut. Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who said the 80% cut was a good start, argued that the government was not going far enough and warned that combating climate change meant more than "tinkering" with policies.
Its proposals also include increasing funding for adaptation projects in developing countries, and for ministers to conduct an analysis once every three years on the impact of the bill. "We need to see clear legal duties for ministers, which parliament can hold them to each year, and the right long-term targets," he said.
The consultation on the Climate Change Bill will be formally launched by Finance and Sustainable Growth Secretary John Swinney at the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. Scottish and Southern Energy chief executive, Ian Marchant, said it was time to turn rhetoric into reality, adding: "As businessmen and women we know it is challenging to grow our businesses and reduce greenhouse gas emissions but we are determined to do exactly that."
Maf Smith, director of the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland, accused governments across the world of shying away from taking action on climate change.
"The Scottish Government must be commended for its intention to lead the way for other countries," he said.
The government consultation will run until 23 April.