Once upon a time, Scotland was deservedly lauded for setting some of the most ambitious climate targets anywhere in the world. In 2019, Nicola Sturgeon announced the goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 75 per cent by 2030 – and turning Scotland net zero by 2045, five years ahead of the UK target.
But three years on, the verdict from the Climate Change Committee – independent expert advisers to all the governments of the UK – is damning. The entire Scottish plan is in jeopardy due to ministers having no “clear delivery plan” nor any “coherent explanation” for how it will meet their green aims.
Emission targets were hit in 2020 – due to the Covid shutdown – but this was likely a fluke against a “trend of failure”. On key measures, such as home insulation, peatland restoration and tree-planting, the government is falling short.
It reinforces a familiar narrative with this SNP government – that they’re big on promises but poor on delivery. Back in 2019, the CCC urged the Holyrood administration to “walk the talk”. That’s still not happened yet.
To be blunt, there’s no point having tough targets if there’s no credible plan to fulfil them. It’s a similar story on electric cars. Yes, the Scottish Government’s aim to phase out petrol and diesel cars is more ambitious than the rest of the UK’s - on paper. But in fact, uptake of electric vehicles in Scotland is lower than south of the border.
Warm words, bold pledges – but they don’t reflect the reality on the ground. Tough choices need to be made now if the country is to play its part in reaching global emissions targets. Especially if Scotland wants to preserve its reputation as a world leader in this historic mission.
Sunak too weak
Rishi Sunak’s premiership is in its infancy but there is already a trend starting to emerge over his weakness to take tough decisions.
Controversial Scots Tory peer Michelle Mone announced she was taking a step back from the House of Lords to clear her name, but this weak Prime Minister should have removed the whip from her as soon as the allegations emerged.
Mone said she was taking a “leave of absence” but she won’t be missed in the unelected chamber, given she has only spoken on five occasions since David Cameron made her a life peer in 2015.
It is time Sunak grew a backbone and did the right thing to suspend the whip from Mone during the investigation. Taxpayers are sick and tired of peers using the system to benefit themselves while hardworking people struggle to get by. It’s time this chamber was scrapped once and for all.
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