Scotland’s plans for green future ‘completely inadequate’

The Scottish Government’s new plans to “transform Scotland to a sustainable, low-carbon society” have come under heavy fire from eco-activists and Green Party politicians.

Under the proposals, Scotland would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, with electric cars the norm on the country’s road, energy provided by wind farms, and homes heated with renewable fuels.

Almost all road and rail transport would become electric, and emissions from landfill would be negligible.

The plans also call for a 34% reduction in Scotland’s carbon emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.

However, green groups – including environmental activists and the Green Party – have criticised the plans for being too vague and not going far enough.

The vision is admirable, green commentators said, but the plan does not explain how the vision will be achieved, or how much it is likely to cost.

Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: “The government’s current climate change bill falls short - it neither addresses the urgency with which we need to deal with this issue, nor does it take enough note of the science.

“If other world leaders adopted the Scottish government’s interim 34% target the problem of climate change will get worse. That is why the final Bill must include, from the start, a strong short term target of at least 42% by 2020.”

Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland, added that Scottish politicians have “no excuse” to aim for anything lower than a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020.

“We call on every MSP to vote for cuts of 40% or more when the Climate Change Bill has its final session in Parliament next week,” Dixon said.

Green MSPs lambasted the proposals as “completely inadequate to the task in hand”.

The proposals make sweeping assumptions about unproven carbon capture technology, the Greens said, with “no Plan B should the technology fail”.