Many constituents have been in contact with me to highlight the need for fast and fair climate action. I understand and appreciate the concern.
The high number of emails I have received is evidence to the feeling and importance of this issue.
Scottish Labour have spoken out against the dropping of annual climate targets by the Scottish Government, pushed for a stronger bill on carbon budgets, and my colleague Sarah Boyack MSP, as spokesperson for Net Zero, Energy and Just Transition, successfully amended legislation on the Circular Economy Bill to accelerate Scotland’s move towards a greener future.
I understand the need to meaningfully tackle the urgent climate emergency, and it is concerning how little priority was given to the issue in the draft Scottish budget for 2025/26. However, in the coming months, Scottish Labour will be closely scrutinising upcoming carbon budgets in the Spring, as well as the forthcoming Climate Change Plan. It is important this is delivered on-time and features measurable commitments to action.
I will also be working with colleagues to ensure that the nature restoration and heat in buildings policies and are as good as they can be as we cannot afford half-hearted legislation on such important issues.
We need a new direction for Scotland to really embrace a greener future. The SNP have been in power for 18 years and have repeatedly failed to take sufficient action to tackle the joint climate and nature emergencies.
Scottish Labour will ensure a sprint to clean power, green jobs for our remarkable workforce, sustainably warm homes for everyone, better sustainable transport options that people can use and investment in further climate action both to mitigate and adapt against the impact of the climate and nature emergencies.