Policy

Stop Climate Chaos believes

TomAllen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:37:56 +0000

Climate change is the greatest threat to humanity and the world’s ecosystems. We have fewer than 80 months to reverse the growth in global carbon emissions, otherwise global warming will almost certainly exceed the danger threshold of 2 degrees C.

Watchdog issues warning on Scottish climate change action

Gail — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:01:39 +0000

Tuesday 31st January 2012

Recent emission reductions due to recession, not government measures
Emissions now rising, new government measures needed

An independent UK watchdog has today increased the pressure on the Scottish Government to amend the budget to ensure Scotland meets the targets set out in the Scottish Climate Change Act. [1]

Calls for appropriate levels of funding to reduce emissions are ignored

Gail — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:40:06 +0000

Monday 23rd January 2012

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has expressed major disappointment in the Scottish Government’s Budget Bill which has now been published.

The proposed Budget continues to ignore the need to fully fund the measures set out in the Government’s own plans to reduce Scotland’s emissions in line with the Scottish Climate Change Act. In particular, funding to improve and expand cycling and walking infrastructure is still set to be cut by a third while, at the same time, the roads budget will increase by 16%.

SCCS briefing on Parliamentary report on the Budget

Gail — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:45:47 +0000

20th December 2011

The Scottish Parliament will debate the Finance Committee's report on the draft Budget and Spending Review on Thursday 22nd December.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland produced a parliamentary briefing about this in order to inform the debate. You can read the briefing online here.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland policy documents

Gail — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:14:55 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) regularly produces briefings on relevant topics. These are published online and can be accessed via this webpage.

SCCS briefing on the Budget Bill, January 2012

SCCS briefing on Parliamentary report on the Budget and Spending Review, December 2011

SCCS briefing on the UN climate talks in Durban

Gail — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:17:32 +0000

22nd November 2011

The UN climate change talks will take place in Durban, South Africa from 29th November to 9th December 2011.

The Scottish Parliament will debate the issue of the Durban climate change negotiations on Thursday 24th November. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland produced a parliamentary briefing on the Durban talks in order to inform the Parliamentary debate. You can read the briefing online here.

SCCS briefing on the use of carbon credits

Gail — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:16:32 +0000

21st November 2011

Under the Scottish Climate Change Act, the Scottish Government must set a limit on the amount of overseas 'carbon credits' that can be used to meet our emissions reduction targets. The limit on the use of carbon credits during 2013-2017 is currently being considered by the Parliament.

The Scottish Government has proposed that it should have the opportunity to buy international carbon credits to meet Scotland's targets during that period. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland believes this is neither desirable nor necessary for a number of reasons.

SCCS evidence on draft budget and spending review to Parliamentary Committees

Gail — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:51:09 +0000

19th October 2011

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has already expressed disappointment at the failure to adequately tackle climate change in the draft budget and spending review.

The Scottish Parliament is currently scrutinising the Draft Budget for 2012-13 and Spending Review, which sets out the Government's priorities for the next three years. You can read our written evidence to the relevant Parliamentary committees in PDF format via the link below:

Briefing on public bodies' climate change duties

Gail — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:29:23 +0000

October 2011

The Scottish Climate Change Act, the most progressive climate change legislation anywhere in the world, includes a three-part duty on all public bodies to contribute to Scotland’s climate change targets.

The public bodies climate change duties came into force on 1st January 2011 and applies to an estimated 7,000 public bodies of varying sizes, from health boards, councils, bodies such as Scottish Water, colleges, universities and police forces, to the smallest GP surgery, but not some cross-border bodies.

Draft budget fails to adequately fund climate change action

Gail — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:26:19 +0000

Monday 26th September 2011

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is disappointed at the failure to adequately tackle climate change in the draft Budget.

On Wednesday 21st September, the Scottish Government published its Draft Budget for 2012-13 along with their Spending Review which outlines priorities over the next three years.

Briefing on Scotland’s 100% renewable electricity target

Gail — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:03:10 +0000

September 2011

In May 2011, the Scottish Government announced its target to generate the equivalent of 100% of Scotland's total electricity demand from renewable resources by 2020.

SCCS evidence on preventative spending to Finance Committee

Gail — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:47:12 +0000

2nd September 2011

The Scottish Government is currently preparing the draft budget for 2012-13 as well as a four-year spending review. This will be considered by the Scottish Parliament over the next few months and voted on in February 2012.

As part of its scrutiny of the budget and spending review, the Parliament's Finance Committee has asked for submissions on preventative spending .

You can read Stop Climate Chaos Scotland's submission online in PDF format.

The Scottish Climate Change Act and how SCCS helped influence it

Gail — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:44:44 +0000

The Scottish Climate Change Act was passed in 2009 and remains the strongest climate change legislation anywhere in the world.

Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions are a small percentage of global emissions, so we cannot tackle this problem alone. In order to encourage other rich countries to commit to similarly ambitious climate laws, we have produced a short film about the Scottish Act which explains our role in influencing it.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is the largest and most powerful civil society coalition in Scotland, made up of organisations ranging from community and faith groups, environment and development organisations and students and trade unions. Part of our success has come from working together across such a diverse range of organisations under the common goal: to stop climate chaos.

We are keen to encourage and support other civil society groups in other countries to work together to create momentum for urgent action on climate change. Please feel free to get in touch with us for more information at info[at]stopclimatechaosscotland.org.

Watch our short video to find out more: SCCS Climate Change Act film

Climate change in the new Parliament

Gail — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:44:44 +0000

June 2011

SCCS provided a parliamentary briefing on climate change for all MSPs in the new Scottish Parliament. You can read the briefing online here.

People power has helped tip the balance on new carbon targets!

FionaD — Wed, 18 May 2011 17:21:32 +0000

The government has now accepted the advice of the independent Committee on Climate Change and agreed to strong climate change targets for the UK.

Last week the government was split on whether to accept this advice, but pressure from people like you, as well as an outcry from Stop Climate Chaos organisations and other groups like Green Alliance and 38 Degrees, pushed David Cameron to step in and do the right thing.

New Scottish Government must deliver on climate change

Gail — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:38:09 +0000

Monday 9th May

23 senior representatives from Scotland's largest civil society coalition, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), have today handed a giant postcard to the new Scottish Government urging them to turn manifesto promises into political reality and make action on climate change a priority for the next five years.  

Comparison of manifesto pledges on climate change

Gail — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:43:28 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, a coalition of around 60 organisations campaigning together on climate change, produced a manifesto of policies which we believe would deliver emission cuts in a responsible and just manner.

Our manifesto sets out ways in which the Scottish Government, local authorities and communities can all help to reduce emissions. We set out specific measures for energy and for transport, the largest emission generators, as well as outlining how the health sector and our natural environment can assist. We also described how economic recovery can work hand-in-hand with reducing emissions.

The adoption and implementation of the full package of measures outlined in our manifesto would help to ensure Scotland not only meets its legal responsibilities, but: continues to demonstrate international leadership on climate change; supports poor communities living in developing countries to survive and adapt to the effects of climate change; and secures a sustainable, just and prosperous future for people living in Scotland.

We have set out the ‘asks’ which were included in our manifesto, alongside a description and related quotes from party manifestos in relation to each ‘ask’. We have only considered the manifestos of the five parties represented in the last Scottish Parliament.

Read the short version of our comparison of manifesto pledges

Read the full version of our comparison of manifesto pledges, which includes the relevant quotes from parties’ manifestos.

SCCS briefing on Parliamentary debate on Report on Policies and Proposals

Gail — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:12:53 +0000

The Scottish Parliament will debate the draft Report on Policies and Proposals (RPP) on Wednesday 12th January.

You can read Stop Climate Chaos Scotland's Parliamentary briefing on this here.

SCCS “disappointed” by Scottish Government’s lack of public engagement on climate change

Gail — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:43:01 +0000

30 December 2010

A civil society group representing over two million Scots has responded with “disappointment” to today’s publication of the Scottish Government’s Public Engagement Strategy on the Climate Change Act.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) members lobbied for the inclusion of a strategy for public engagement, but the coalition argues that the paper is “neither very public nor very engaging”.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland manifesto

Gail — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:02:27 +0000

From rhetoric to reality: a manifesto for climate action

2011 Scottish Parliament elections

The 2011 Scottish Parliament elections provide an opportunity for political parties to demonstrate their willingness to take action on climate change. As such, we have come forward with our own manifesto of policies which we believe would deliver emission cuts in a responsible and just manner.

Briefing on forthcoming Report on Policies and Proposals

Gail — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:42:00 +0000

The Scottish Goverment's forthcoming Report on Policies and Proposals, which is expected in autumn 2010, will set out how Scotland will meet its emissions reduction targets.

SCCS is calling for a credible and transparent package of policies that describe the right level of ambition needed to hit each annual target up to and including the 2020 42% target.

Read the full briefing -
Report on Policies and proposals: Getting it right

SCCS comment on revised annual targets for Scotland

Gail — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:41:01 +0000

22nd September 2010

The Scottish Government has today provided revised proposals for annual targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland between now and 2022.

Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said:

“Stop Climate Chaos is pleased that the short life working group has now concluded its discussions on Scotland’s annual targets. We look forward to seeing a credible, ambitious and transparent plan from Government on how these targets will be met in the forthcoming Report on Policies and Proposals.”

SCCS calls on Ministers to strengthen climate change legislation

Gail — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:02:37 +0000

20 September 2010

Climate campaigners today called on Ministers to use their powers to strengthen Scotland's world leading climate legislation.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) welcomed a consultation on draft guidance to public bodies on their new climate change duties, which come into force in January.

The duties say that public bodies must consider climate change in all they do and act in the ways best calculated to help deliver the tough targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Get our money out of fossil fuels

FionaD — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:46:16 +0000

The Gulf of Mexico spill is the US’s biggest ever environmental disaster, causing untold damage to a fragile ecosystem and threatening the livelihoods and way of life of tens of thousands of people. One of the greatest ironies of this situation is that the US taxpayer helped to fund it through tax-breaks. Subsidies for fossil fuel production in OECD countries like the US are estimated at $100 billion a year. There is increasing public outrage that at a time of considerable financial hardship, public money is being used in this way.

SCCS briefing on annual targets

Gail — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:51:25 +0000

Monday 12th July 2010

The cross-party Short Life Working Group on annual targets is meeting over the summer to discuss annual emissions reductions targets for Scotland from now until 2022. This follows on from the Scottish Parliament rejecting the annual targets that had previously been proposed. Find out more here

Parliament 'no' to emissions targets must not delay climate change action

Gail — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:19:25 +0000

Thursday 27th May 2010

The Scottish Parliament have rejected proposed targets for emissions reductions. You can find out more about this here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/10176737.stm

Commenting on the Scottish Parliament's vote today on emissions reductions, Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said:

"Today's vote by the Scottish Parliament to reject the proposed annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions must not delay the urgent action we need if Scotland is to play its part in preventing dangerous climate change.

Scottish government's failure on climate targets and aviation

Gail — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:45:55 +0000

21st April 2010

Key measures published by the Scottish Government confirm Scotland’s 2020 climate target to cut emissions by 42% but a commitment on early action is disappointing and the full impact of aviation is being ignored.

Four Statutory Instruments laid before parliament today cover annual targets for emissions until 2022, accounting for emissions from aviation and shipping, the buying of carbon credits, and its rules on carbon accounting.

Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said:

Ask the Climate Question

FionaD — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:02:21 +0000

Thank you for Asking the Climate Question!

Thank you to everyone that helped Ask the Climate Question in the run up to the election! Here’s just a snippet of what you, and the dedicated organisers of the Ask the Climate Question Campaign achieved:

• More than 13,000 e-mails were sent to candidates, Asking the Climate Question;

Business leaders, scientists & civil society back climate change targets

TomAllen — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:27:27 +0000

Thursday 25th February 2010

Scottish business leaders, environmental scientists and NGOs have commended the Scottish Government for reaffirming its commitment to meet its world-leading target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2020.

Tories back fossil fuel funding campaign.

AndyBrace — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:37:59 +0000

The Conservatives have backed the campaign to end UK government funding for fossil fuel projects.

'No New Coal without CCS' Says Ed Miliband

TomAllen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:31:33 +0000

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has announced the Government’s long-awaited response to its ‘clean coal’ consultation. In it he announced that ‘no new coal-fired power stations would be built without carbon capture and storage (CCS)’, and that all such stations should have full CCS by 2025.

More than 100 MPs sign climate change EDM

TomAllen — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:47:04 +0000

More than 100 MPs have so far signed an early day motion calling on the UK government to urge the EU to take a stronger stand in tackling climate change.

With less than a month to go to the crucial UN climate change summit in Copenhagen, the motion says industrialised countries bear the greatest responsibility for global warming.

It calls on EU governments to commit to 40 per cent cuts in carbon emissions by 2020. The present target is 20 per cent, rising to 30 per cent if a global deal is reached at Copenhagen.

Tell the Government to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% next year

AndyBrace — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:40:25 +0000

Parliament are deciding whether they should join the 10:10 campaign which would commit them to reducing their emissions by 10% by the end of 2010. Tell your MP to vote to join the campaign.

Bangkok UN climate meeting ends

AndyBrace — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:01:01 +0000

Rich countries are holding our world's future to ransom by failing to acknowledge they need to cut their own emissions first and fastest, Friends of the Earth said today.

Coalition welcome Miliband renewable announcement

TomAllen — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:47:47 +0000

The Government today launched its Low Carbon Transition Plan - a route map towards achieving a 34% reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. In response, Ashok Sinha, Director of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition said

Members of our coalition will welcome this announcement. Ed Miliband must be congratulated for at last offering a step-wise plan to tackling the UK’s carbon emissions.

Why the Scottish Climate Change Act is leading the way

TomAllen — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:56:21 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has put together a simple briefing which explains the areas where the Scottish Climate Change Act goes further than any other climate change laws in the world.

Download the Act briefing pdf.

Gordon Brown's climate manifesto for Copenhagen

TomAllen — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:34:51 +0000

In a manifesto launched today, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged UK leadership in tackling climate change during the run-up to the UN climate summit in Copenhagen this December. Alongside the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Miliband, he has outlined his vision for a new deal where the emissions of developed nations will peak by 2020 (we believe the deal should be no later than 2015) and decline thereafter.

Climate Change - failure is not an option

AndyBrace — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:34:00 +0000

RSPB Cymru welcomes the Welsh Assembly Government's Climate Change Programme of Action, launched today by Jane Davidson, Minster for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing.

International scientists, campaigners and celebrities call for tougher targets for Scottish Climate Bill

TomAllen — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:23:48 +0000

From Sunday Herald, 21 June 2009

International scientists, campaigners and celebrities are piling pressure on the Scottish government to toughen its plans to tackle climate change.

First minister Alex Salmond, and other political leaders are being told by 13 top climate experts that the current aim to reduce emissions 34% by 2020 is "wholly inadequate". The target must be raised to at least 42% to help save the planet, they say.

Will Ed make Britain a global leader on climate change?

AndyBrace — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:44:23 +0000

ED Miliband today announced the details of his new coal consultation. While recognising the need to reduce emissions from coal-fired power stations, as promised, it places equal emphasis on maintaining a "diverse, secure energy mix".

In April the Energy and Climate Change Secretary initiated a significant U-turn in government policy when he told Parliament that "the era of new unabated coal is over." Compared with the "business as usual" approach of predecessors like John Hutton, this is a big step forward.

SCCS welcomes ground-breaking amendments

TomAllen — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:10:22 +0000

The Scottish Parliament Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee resumed today (Tuesday) to continue its discussions on Stage 2 of the Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Reacting to the Committee's decision to approve Labour MSP Cathy Peattie's amendment on climate change duty for public bodies:
Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said:

Disappointment as SNP and Labour frustrate bill progress

TomAllen — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:10:11 +0000

Hopes that Scotland's Climate Change Bill would lead the world were put at risk during the Stage 2 discussions of the Climate Change Bill by the Scottish Parliament Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee (on 26th May).

The TICC Committee failed to support an amendment to increase the target for cutting greenhouse gases by 42 per cent by 2020. This target would have brought the Bill in line with the scientific consensus of what action needs to be taken and set a strong example for other world governments.

Coalition urges MSPs to strengthen bill

TomAllen — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:45:09 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is today [Wednesday 6 May] calling on MSPs from all parties to show their support for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill, as the Stage 1 Debate gets underway in the Scottish Parliament.

The SCCS coalition is looking for MSPs to deliver a strong Bill by addressing loopholes identified in the Scottish Parliament’s Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (TICC) Committee Stage 1 Report, published on Friday 24 April.

MSPs put pressure on for strong Climate Bill

TomAllen — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:58:23 +0000

On 24 April Stop Climate Chaos Scotland welcomed the strong report from the Scottish Parliament’s Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee on the Scottish Climate Change Bill. The report recommends that the Bill needs tougher targets and broader scope. The Government will now have to respond to the Committee’s report in a debate expected next week.

Hundreds gather to lobby MSPs on Scottish Climate Change Bill

TomAllen — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:03:39 +0000

Over 500 people gathered on Wednesday 22 April outside the Scottish Parliament to demand that MSPs deliver a strong Climate Change Bill.

The rally was organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland to show the strength and breadth of public support for these three key asks for the Bill:

Statutory annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 3% year on year starting now
The inclusion of emissions from international aviation and shipping from the beginning

Greenpeace hails 'signs of climate leadership' at last

AndyBrace — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:31:00 +0000

Following today's announcement by Ed Miliband of new regulations for coal plants and the launch of a consultation on coal policy, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said:

"At last Ed Miliband is demonstrating welcome signs of climate leadership in the face of resistance from Whitehall officials and cabinet colleagues. He is the first minister in twelve years to throw down the gauntlet to the energy companies and demand they start taking climate change seriously."

Darling's green measures fail to convince

AndyBrace — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Measures to tackle climate change announced in today's Budget fall far short of the radical action required.

Trying to solve the climate crisis with a fistful of pennies?

AndyBrace — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:20:03 +0000

A green budget at last? Sadly no...

Darling blows historic opportunity to build low-carbon future

AndyBrace — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:01:01 +0000

Alistair Darling has squandered a huge opportunity to create a low-carbon economy and create thousands of green jobs by investing in renewable energy and cutting energy waste on the scale required, Friends of the Earth said today.

85,480 signatures delivered to Ed Miliband

TomAllen — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:46:15 +0000

On Monday 20 April Stop Climate Chaos coalition members delivered more than 85,000 of your messages to Ed Miliband's office at the (DECC).

(More pictures on Flickr.)

Tearfund pre-Budget climate call

AndyBrace — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:04:00 +0000

21 April 2009
Tearfund is calling on the government to announce greenhouse gas emission cuts in tomorrow’s Budget that will kick-start the economy, save the planet and protect poor communities.
In practice this means a science-based target of 42 per cent cuts by 2020 based on 1990 levels, with the vast majority of cuts being made within the UK and not offset in developing countries.
This target would incentivise early climate action in the UK and put the country at the forefront of new green industries.

More big meetings, more disappointing climate mumblings

AndyBrace — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:31:12 +0000

Whoever it was that said '24 hours is a long time in politics' certainly wasn't kidding. While I'm still feeling worn out by the political frenzy that surrounded last week's G20 summit, even by Saturday the world had moved on.

The $1.1 trillion verdict's out. But what does it mean for poor countries?

AndyBrace — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:17:22 +0000

So the G20 verdict's out. Obama and the rest of the visitors have jetted off.

17 years later, world leaders haven't moved on when it comes to the climate

AndyBrace — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:12:49 +0000

Stability, growth, jobs all good - but where's the climate leadership? CC Image from London Summit on Flickr

Act fair and fast for a global deal (our policy)

TomAllen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:59:10 +0000

The UN Climate Change negotiations in Copenhagen held in December 2009 failed to deliver an international plan of action to prevent runaway climate change. However we must continue to pursue a binding global deal that delivers the scale and speed of emissions cuts that are required to keep average global temperature rises as far below 2 degrees as possible, and in the longer term stabilise global temperatures well below this level. Such a deal must be fair and equitable, and must protect the world’s ecosystems.

Deliver on our promises, and protect the poorest (our policy)

TomAllen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:34:17 +0000

The disappointment of Copenhagen showed that words and exhortations are not enough to make a fair, ambitious and binding global deal happen.

Developed countries like the UK need to live up to their promises and obligations, both by transforming their economies at home, and providing support to the developing world. In doing so, they can help to create a safer, fairer and more secure world for all of us; and ensure that millions of people already living in poverty are not further damaged and disadvantaged by the impacts of climate change.

Quit dirty coal (our policy)

TomAllen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:53:56 +0000

Industrialised countries like the UK, which are most responsible for climate change and most able to help avert it, must lead the effort to reduce global emissions; they must cut their emissions first, fastest and most.

The most important cause of climate change globally is the burning of coal, yet the Government is planning a new generation of coal-fired power stations.

Response to Scottish Parliament's calls for bill opinions

TomAllen — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:52:01 +0000

Members of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition have been working together to respond to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee’s call for views on the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill that was introduced in December 2008.

SCCS calls on parliament to deliver strong climate legislation

TomAllen — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:51:24 +0000

3 February 2009

Key members from across the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition will today (Tuesday 3 February) present their evidence on the Scottish Climate Change Bill to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee (TICC).

2009 is a critical year for action on climate change with global deal negotiations in Copenhagen in December.

Conservative proposals for a low carbon economy - Greenpeace reaction and briefing

AndyBrace — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:04:22 +0000

The Conservatives Low Carbon Economy paper published today is focused on three important elements of energy policy, relevant to the politics of the current energy debate. They are:

Energy Security
A policy beyond the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for coal
Kick-starting Renewable Energy

In this briefing we analyse their policies and conclude that, whilst the Tory proposals are not the final word and can be improved, they do put the weakness of the government's position in focus.

Carbon calling

AndyBrace — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Commenting on Conservative plans for a low-carbon Britain, Martin Harper, Head of Sustainable Development at the RSPB, said: "The Conservatives' plans for a green revolution are a welcome relief after yesterday's grim announcement on Heathrow. But they will need resolve and ammunition to make them real.

Visit your MSP about the Scottish Climate Change Bill

TomAllen — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:01:56 +0000

On Thursday 4th December the Scottish Climate Change Bill was introduced to Parliament. Thanks to the 21,000 people from around the world who responded to the consultation, the Bill sets strong measures to reduce Scotland's greenhouse gases. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement before it becomes an Act at the end of 2009.

Climate Change Bill introduced to Scottish Parliament

TomAllen — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:58:39 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has welcomed the introduction of a Climate Change Bill to the Scottish Parliament and has called on all MSPs to ensure it becomes a genuinely world leading piece of legislation.

Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said

Planning Bill must include climate duty

AndyBrace — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:01:01 +0000

The Government must make climate change a central consideration of the Planning Bill, Friends of the Earth said today (Thursday 6 November 2008) as the Report stage of the Bill begins in the House of Lords.

Energy Bill: Renewable energy proposals must be strengthened

AndyBrace — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:01:01 +0000

A coalition of trade bodies, unions and charities is calling for Government plans to introduce a feed-in tariff into its Energy Bill to be significantly strengthened so that people are given real financial incentives to install green energy systems

Campaigners delighted that the Bill's been increased

AndyBrace — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:10:54 +0000

We're rather belated in reporting this on our blog, but for the last week or so we've been meaning to write about two big climate change announcements.

On the back of the recent Cabinet re-shuffle, the UK Government three weeks ago created a new department - the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

Celebrating win on Scottish Climate Change Bill

TomAllen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:26:16 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland are celebrating the news today that the Scottish Government plans to include annual targets, and emissions from aviation and shipping, in the Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Finance Minister John Swinney said that by including international aviation and shipping, emissions from all six greenhouse gases, and annual targets, Scotland will have the most ambitious Bill to tackle climate change anywhere in the world.

Campaigners and politicians warn loophole in climate bill could see UK carbon emissions rise.

AndyBrace — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:25:54 +0000

The World Development Movement welcomes the government’s commitment to a climate bill that includes an 80 per cent greenhouse gas emission reduction target, but warns that, despite the target, a loophole in the bill could allow emissions to rise in the UK.

Dr Julian Oram, head of policy at the World Development Movement explained:

Parliament to vote on new climate change law

AndyBrace — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:01:01 +0000

Parliament to vote on new climate change law

Another fantastic win! Aviation & shipping included in bill!

TomAllen — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:40:40 +0000

We are all celebrating the news that ministers have finally listened to our chorus of dissent on excluding aviation and shipping from the bill.

Ed Miliband has announced plans to include these emissions sources in the Climate Change Bill targets due to become law in November. During the debate he specifically thanked you (if you took action):

I end by paying tribute not to those in the House, but to those outside it: those who saw the dangers of climate change and the actions that needed to be taken long before the politicians did. I pay tribute to the scientists who detected the problem, the campaigners who fought to bring it to public attention, the green movement that mobilised for change, and above all, the members of the public who wrote to us in record numbers, asking for a Bill that met the scale of the challenge. I believe that we have met that challenge. We owe them a debt of gratitude for making it happen, and I urge all Members to support the Third Reading.

UK finally agrees to tougher climate target

AndyBrace — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:30:00 +0000

A UK commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by the middle of the century was today greeted as a victory by Tearfund.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has announced that the current 60 per cent emission cutting goal will be replaced by a new higher target.
The move comes after 18 months of campaigning by Tearfund, which is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition.
Paul Cook, Tearfund’s Advocacy Director, said, `We are pleased the government has announced a target that matches the science and gives the UK integrity on the international stage.
`This signals

Responding to Brown’s Crisis Plan: new world order must be pro poor not pro bank

AndyBrace — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:39:38 +0000

16 October 2008

Last night, Gordon Brown set out proposals to fix the broken global economy, including fundamental reform of the IMF and World Bank. Analysis of the operations of the World Bank and the IMF leaves the World Development Movement sceptical that reform of these powerful institutions is possible.

Benedict Southworth, director of the World Development Movement said:

Government increases climate emissions target to 80 per cent - as Miliband backs financial incentives for small-scale renewable

AndyBrace — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:01:01 +0000

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the Government's decision today (Thursday 16 October 2008) to increase its target for cutting UK emissions to 80 per cent but warned pollution from planes and ships needs to be dealt with in law.

We're winning! One final push on Climate Change Bill

TomAllen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:23:47 +0000

We are celebrating success with the news that one of our key demands has been supported by the Government's expert Committee on Climate Change.

For the last twelve months, campaigners have called for the Government to adopt at least an 80 per cent target for carbon dioxide emissions reductions by 2050 – one of three key ‘asks’ to politicians and policymakers in 2008. The Committee has backed this.

Our big "Yes!" to clean green renewable energy

TomAllen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:31:45 +0000

We have just unveiled our brand new campaign focusing on the critical issue of renewable energy in the UK.

Our director, Ashok Sinha, said "The Government must make clean green renewables the number 1 energy choice for the UK".

Switching to renewable energy instead of using coal for electricity is one of the most important ways to prevent global warming spiralling above the 2°C danger threshold, protecting the world’s most vulnerable people from climate change.

Don't abandon EU climate agenda, says Gordon Brown

AndyBrace — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:01:01 +0000

Gordon Brown's comments today in support of the EU climate change agenda has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth

Coalition leaders' open letter to Brown published in Guardian

TomAllen — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:03:08 +0000

The leaders of Stop Climate Chaos Coalition wrote to the Guardian on the 10th October to hold Gordon Brown to his promise to meet 15% of our energy needs from UK renewables by 2020.

The letter was printed and published on the Guardian website.

Time to act tough on climate change

AndyBrace — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:02:00 +0000

The Government can become the world's climate change leader if it accepts the recommendation to cut emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

New climate and energy department must be department of clarity on climate change, not contradiction

AndyBrace — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:12:21 +0000

he World Development Movement cautiously welcomes the new department for climate and energy but warns that is must from its outset be the ‘department of clarity and not contradiction’ to what is sure to be a crucial and controversial brief.

Julian Oram, head of policy at the World Development Movement said: