Government must be bold when tackling climate change - McInnes

5.30.00pm GMT Tue 5th Feb 2008

Liberal Democrat Climate Change spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP urged the Scottish Government to be bold when tackling climate change.

Speaking in a meeting of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, Mrs McInnes pressed the Minister for Climate Change for answers as to why the Scottish Government has opted for a point in time target instead of cumulative targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

"The government must be bold if it is successfully to tackle climate change. Liberal Democrats want a cumulative carbon budget for total allowable emissions between now and 2050 as well as a final 2050 reduction target.

"In the government's own consultation document, ministers acknowledge that a cumulative budget would give greater certainty, but then shy away from that because 'it will be more challenging and more costly'. They are throwing in the towel before they even begin.

Climate change is expected to affect sea levels.

"The Minister claims that the Scottish government wants 'to lead the revolution' and 'set a strong example' on climate change. So, why on this issue, which Friends of the Earth have identified as probably the most critical shortcoming of the proposals, is the Government not prepared to be bold?"