Scottish Government ‘in retreat’ on climate action, Greens say

The Scottish Government must halt its “rollback” on climate action, the Scottish Greens have said.

The party was in government with the SNP until April last year. But Patrick Harvie, who was a government minister under the Bute House Agreement, has today called on former colleagues to stop the “rollback” on measures addressing climate change.

The call comes as climate action secretary Gillian Martin prepares to launch the latest draft of the Climate Change Plan for Scotland. She is due to give a statement to parliament this afternoon.

Speaking ahead of her statement, she said tackling the climate emergency is “one of the most pressing issues faced by governments around the world” and highlighted the growth in “green industries” in Scotland.

But Harvie accused the Scottish Government of being “in retreat”, saying: “Whether it is the Heat in Building strategy which has been diluted beyond recognition, the energy plan that has been shelved or the road traffic targets that have been scrapped, they have failed to make the kind of changes that are needed.

“I hope that today’s statement will be a turning point and that we will start to see some action and the plans and priorities that are long overdue.

“That means keeping the presumption against new oil and gas, investing in nature, slashing the cost of public transport, making it cheaper and greener to heat our homes and buildings and supporting farmers and businesses to make the transition.

“There are no quick fixes or second chances when it comes to our climate. Every day of inaction now will only cost us more in future.

“We can’t wait for someone else to come and fix it for us. It is time for the Scottish and UK governments to live up to their rhetoric and deliver the kind of change that is badly needed.”

The intervention comes one day after Tory Party leader Kemi Badenoch launched a campaign with Scottish Conservatives colleagues to “get Britain drilling again”. Badoch said the north east of Scotland is “facing a growing oil and gas emergency” and called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to scrap the Energy Profits Levy in this month's Budget statement.

The Climate Change Plan for Scotland will set out specific measures needed to cut emissions and meet carbon budget targets as ministers attempt to reach net zero by 2045.

Annual emissions reduction targets have been replaced with five-year carbon budgets after repeated failures to hit the goals, with interim emissions targets for 2030 and 2040 removed.

Martin said: “Green industries in Scotland have grown by over 20 per cent since 2022 and now contribute over £9bn to our economy and support over 100,000 jobs.

“This helps show how our path to net zero is not only improving public health by delivering cleaner air, warmer homes and wealthier communities – but can also support stronger public services and accelerate economic growth.

“However, despite the majority of people in Scotland recognising that climate change is an immediate and urgent problem, we are witnessing a concerning rise in anti-climate rhetoric.

“So it is vital that we bring people, our workforce and communities with us on this journey because as well as creating new jobs and growing our economy, reaching net zero will help deliver better infrastructure, cheaper heating, and improved public services.”