ARIANE BURGESS: Rishi Sunak's backtracking on green targets is disastrous for economy – as well as environment
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Holyrood Notebook by Ariane Burgess
As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, the UK Prime Minister has torn up UK commitments and along with it any sense that he is a sound leader.
Across Scotland we have experienced our share of extreme weather. From unprecedented winter storms to warmer temperatures in the sea, these changes have had a profound impact on our daily lives.
Increasingly I am having conversations with farmers and land managers about the implications of extreme weather from crop failure to concerns about animal welfare to loss of more biodiversity.
Climate change is the most urgent and complex challenge facing humanity today. It is not only a threat to the environment, but also to our health, economy, and human rights. The scientific evidence is clear – we need to take immediate and radical action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
If we fail to do so, we will face devastating consequences such as more extreme weather events, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, water scarcity, and forced migration.
In Scotland we have set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and with Greens in government, partnership work with councils and communities is being carried out.
From investment in public transport, active travel, and low carbon infrastructure to restoring nature and enhancing biodiversity, we are working for the future. From introducing a circular economy bill to reduce waste and promote reuse and recycling, to implementing a just transition for workers and communities affected by the shift away from fossil fuels, we are ensuring there will be a future.
We need everyone to play their part in making the changes necessary for a greener and fairer future. It is the job of government to make these changes positive for people through policy that leads to warmer homes, a cleaner environment and better jobs. We need to support each other and work together across sectors, communities, and borders. We cannot afford to delay or deny the reality of climate change.
Rishi Sunak’s recent proposals are not just disastrous for our environment, but also for our economy. The Tories are turning their backs on a huge economic opportunity and the chance to rebuild our country.
The Prime Minister’s announcement is so incoherent that even giant car manufacturers like Ford denounced it. Government needs to signal a direction of travel and remain consistent to incentivise industry to change, to help us change. That was working, now uncertainty has been thrown into the mix.
In the wake of the Prime Minister's announcement, John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, pointed out that the majority of the British public want to see the climate emergency tackled.
That’s why the work I do along with my Scottish Greens colleagues both nationally and locally is urgent. People in Scotland elected Scottish Greens because they want to see action on climate change and to see our natural environment properly restored and protected.
None of the work we do is about change for the sake of change, it is about ensuring there is some kind of future for people, especially young people in Scotland, and in other places on the planet.
We cannot achieve these goals alone.
Let’s not let the devastating news from the Tory government deter us from continuing on the path that ensures we do have a future.
Let’s stay strong and keep going on the path we have committed to – the future depends on it.
- Ariane Burgess is a Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands
