scotland

Rio Connection in Scotland

Gail — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:05:31 +0000

This summer, 20 years on from the Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero, Brazil in 1992, government representatives from around the world will meet at a ‘Rio+20’ summit to discuss sustainable development.

Scottish premiere of 'The Island President'

Gail — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:04:31 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is proud to support the Scottish premiere and previews of 'The Island President', screening in Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh in April 2012.

Climate change at 2012 local authority elections

Gail — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:27:31 +0000

Local authorities have a key role to play in reducing Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions. The local elections in May this year offer an opportunity for all political parties to renew their commitment to climate change action at the local level.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has come together to identify five key areas which we would like to see all parties include in their manifestos for the local elections, to be taken forward by all local authorities after the elections.

SCCS response to inquiry into renewable energy targets

Gail — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:44:19 +0000

29th February 2012

The Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee is conducting an inquiry into the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets.

You can read the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland submission to the inquiry online here here.

SCCS briefing on climate justice

Gail — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:11:44 +0000

28th February 2012

The Scottish Parliament will debate the the issue of climate justice later this week (Thursday 1st March).

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 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:57:03 +0000

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

Climate change at 2012 local elections, March 2012

SCCS response to renewables inquiry, February 2012

Scottish Government has heard our campaign asks: more funding announced for cycling and walking

Gail — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:56:03 +0000

Wednesday 8th February 2012

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland welcomes today’s announcement from John Swinney that an additional £13m over three years, compared to the Budget Bill published last month, will be allocated to sustainable and active travel. However, we note that this is still a cut on the funding available for this work in the current year.

Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said:

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]

About Stop Climate Chaos Scotland

TomAllen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:41:06 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) is a coalition of around 60 organisations in Scotland that are campaigning on climate change. Together we represent over two million people in Scotland.

We have close links with the Stop Climate Chaos coalition in London and work with them on cross-border issues whenever we can. But Scotland faces many challenges relating to climate change that are quite different from England and Wales.

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%.

On Yer Bike!

Gail — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:04:17 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came along and made this event a success

Click here to check out some more photos from the event. More photos soon!

Over 350 people, most of them on their bikes, gathered outside the office of the Scottish Government on Wednesday 11th January to urge Scottish Ministers to increase funding for cycling and walking instead of funding expensive road-building programmes that will increase Scotland’s carbon footprint.

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.

Durban: disappointment as climate talks end

Gail — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:15:55 +0000

Sunday 11th December 2011

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland today expressed disappointment at the desperate lack of ambition contained within the UN climate agreement in Durban.

Despite the growing warning from scientists, the reality is that this will be woefully insufficient to avoid global temperatures rising by more than 2 degrees, as was committed to at the talks last year in Cancun.

Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said:

"It is really disappointing to see such a desperate lack of ambition resulting from the Durban talks. What we are left with falls short of what scientists say will be needed to avoid runaway climate change.

SCCS at UN climate change conference in Durban

Gail — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:47:47 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop17

The UN climate change negotiations are taking place in Durban, South Africa from 28th November to 9th December. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland will be represented at the talks by Lang Banks from WWF Scotland and Lexi Barnett from SCIAF. Each day, they will blog on this web page, bringing you the latest news from Durban as it happens.

DAYS 12 - 13 by Lexi Barnett and Lang Banks
Friday 9th to Sunday 11th December 2011

After a record-breaking, marathon session involving all-night negotiations for three nights on the trot, a deal was finally struck at the UN climate talks here in Durban shortly after 5am on Sunday morning.

Climate change talks in Durban

Gail — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:18:32 +0000

November 2011

The UN climate change talks will take place in Durban, South Africa from 28th November to 9th December 2011.
UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne MP, at the UN talks in 2010

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland will be represented at the conference to try to promote the example set by the Scottish Climate Change Act, which remains the strongest climate change legislation in the world.

Time is running out for an ambitious global deal on climate change to be agreed, as the only agreement we currently have – the Kyoto Protocol – is due to end next year. We urgently need a follow-on agreement if we are to keep emissions under control and avoid the catastrophic effects of runaway global warming.

Minister packs Scotland's 'Suitcase of Hope' ahead of Durban climate talks

Gail — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:18:00 +0000

Thursday 24th November 2011

As he prepares to pack his suitcase and join the UK delegation at the COP17 climate talks in Durban, Stewart Stevenson MSP, today received a few extra items to take with him to South Africa.

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 16:51:09 +0100

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:

Send a special email to your MSP

Gail — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:47:11 +0100

October 2011

If one of your MSPs is listed below, you have an important role to play in helping Scotland move towards a low carbon future.

The Scottish Government has published their draft budget, but it does not currently fund even the minimum activities required if we’re to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in our Climate Change Act.

This group of MSPs has high influence when it comes to reducing Scotland’s emissions – if your MSP is listed below, please take action today.

Briefing on public bodies' climate change duties

Gail — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:29:23 +0100

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 15:26:19 +0100

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 12:03:10 +0100

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.

Scottish Government risks undermining its own plans

Gail — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:41:22 +0100

Wednesday 21st September 2011

The Scottish Government is being urged not to backtrack on Scotland’s world-leading climate change laws, and to seriously consider the wider implications as it allocates resources in this today’s draft Budget.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, a coalition of over 60 organisations in Scotland, is arguing that with previous spending commitments focusing heavily around road-building, motorised vehicles, and a second forth bridge crossing, greater financial priority should now be placed on measures to tackle climate change as a matter of urgency.

Ask the government to put its money where its mouth is

Gail — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:24:54 +0100

Scotland’s Climate Change Act is world-leading. With a 42% emissions reduction target by 2020, it's in line with scientists' recommendations if we want to protect people and nature from the devastating impacts of climate change.

But while we're leading the way with our Climate Act, it'll be impossible to meet our commitments if there isn't adequate funding.

We must make sure that our government takes action to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Scotland, and a better world for us all.

SCCS evidence on preventative spending to Finance Committee

Gail — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:47:12 +0100

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 race is on for a low carbon Europe!

FionaD — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:00:56 +0100

A growing number of top companies are leading the way for a low carbon economy by calling for stronger European climate targets.

Yet a number of car companies, including VW, BMW, Peugeot, Ford and GM are failing to commit to leadership on this critical issue.

These businesses need to make a choice between the clean economy of the future and the old, dirty economy of the past.

It's time to tell them to join the race for a low carbon Europe!

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland calls on Scots Tory MEP to support tougher EU climate change targets

Gail — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:45:33 +0100

Monday 4th July 2011

Tomorrow, Tuesday 5th July, the European Parliament will vote on whether Europe should commit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020 (the current target is 20%).

Some rebel Conservative MEPs, including Scotland's only Conservative MEP, Struan Stevenson, may vote against the proposed increase to the EU target. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland calls on Struan Stevenson to back the tougher target.

The Scottish Climate Change Act and how SCCS helped influence it

Gail — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:44:44 +0100

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 12:44:44 +0100

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.

New Scottish Government must deliver on climate change

Gail — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:38:09 +0100

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.  

Scottish elections 2011

Gail — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:43:29 +0100

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the first ever live Climate Day Election Debate on Wednesday 13th April.

Over 300 people took part in the debate during the evening, when the polticial parties answered your climate change questions. You can watch, and post your comments on, a recording of the debate online now (clips are broken down by question, so you can navigate straight to the subjects that matter most to you).

Don't forget to take our email action to let the candidates hoping to be the next MSP in your area that climate change matters to you:

Email your election candidates today

Read our Election Blog

Comparison of manifesto pledges on climate change

Gail — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:43:28 +0100

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”.

Mixed progress sets the stage for major progress in South Africa

Gail — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:25:14 +0000

11th December 2010

As the UN climate conference in Cancun finishes, the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition urged Governments to build on the progress made and aim for a major global deal at next year’s summit in Durban, South Africa.

Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said: “Some good progress has been made on a Green Climate Fund, protecting forests and reporting systems, but there has been little movement on critical issues like setting targets under the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol.

SCCS evidence to Parliament on the draft Report on Proposals and Policies

Gail — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:29:16 +0000

The Scottish Government's draft Report on Proposals and Policies is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament. The report sets out how Scotland will meet its legally binding emissions reductions targets, including a target to reduce emissions by 42% by 2020.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has provided written evidence on this report to the Parliament's Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change committee. You can read our evidence here.

SCCS at UN climate change conference in Cancun

Gail — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:03:01 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop16

The UN climate change talks are now underway in Cancun, Mexico. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland will be represented at the conference to try to promote the example set by the Scottish Climate Change Act, which is currently the strongest climate change legislation in the world. We'll be reporting back via this web blog each day.

Read the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Cancun blog below.

You can see photos from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland at Cancun here.

Read Stop Climate Chaos Scotland's closing media statement on Cancun here and our opening media statement here.

Scottish parliament must unite again to improve climate change action plan

FionaD — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:55:47 +0000

The draft Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP) to deliver Scotland's climate targets is now before Parliament.

See below for a press release on SCC Scotland's response to the RPP, and you can see more detail on SCC Scotland's response to the RPP here.

The Big Climate Connection in Scotland is here!

Gail — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:34:59 +0000

5th November 2010

Starting this weekend, people across the UK from all walks of life – from supporters of environment and development groups, from unions to local community groups and health professionals - have joined up to lobby more than 250 MPs as part of the Big Climate Connection!

Check out the photos below to see what's happening around the country, as part of the Big Climate Connection. If you've had your meeting with your MP and have a photo, send it to gail[at]stopclimatechaosscotland.org (replacing [at] with @) who'll get it uploaded to the website for you.

What did the political parties think of the SCCS manifesto?

Gail — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:05:48 +0000

Thanks to everyone who wrote to the political party leaders to call for climate change action in their manifestos. It seems this campaign caught their attention with email inboxes reportedly being ‘inundated’ with your emails. If you took action, you may have received a response directly from the party leaders but we are also displaying their responses below so you can see them all in one place.

Ensure Scotland’s public bodies report on their climate change work

Gail — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:03:48 +0000

Scotland has the toughest targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of any country in the world – and our local authorities and other public bodies have a major part to play in making a success of our ambition.

Yet the Scottish Government does not plan to require our public bodies to report on what they are actually doing to reduce emissions – making it difficult to monitor their performance and therefore their overall progress.

Set the agenda for the next Scottish Government!

Gail — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:24:07 +0100

This action has now closed

The Scottish elections next May seem like a long time away, but the political parties are already busy writing their manifestos - which means that right now they are deciding what they will do if they become the next government.

So now is a great time to influence what they put in their manifestos, especially as October marks the party conference season, and what's going in the manifestos will be a hot topic for debate.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland manifesto

Gail — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:02:27 +0100

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 15:42:00 +0100

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 15:41:01 +0100

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 13:02:37 +0100

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.

Latest briefing on annual targets for Scotland

Gail — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:02:37 +0100

8th September 2010

The cross party Short Life Working Group will meet today to discuss on annual emissions reduction targets for Scotland.

Click on this link to read the latest Stop Climate Chaos Scotland briefing on this issue.

Climate change campaigners can take heart

Gail — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:24:49 +0100

July 2010

Climate change campaigners can take heart this summer, after what has been a difficult few months, but should not take their eyes off the ball.

Three independent reviews have now clearly supported the science of the Climate Research Unit, based at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK, whose email exchanges were illegally released into the media earlier this year. Those critics who claimed these showed collusion and conspiracy among researchers were proved wrong – there was no evidence of misconduct.

SCCS briefing on annual targets

Gail — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:51:25 +0100

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 12:19:25 +0100

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 13:45:55 +0100

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:

Keep Scotland ambitious!

Gail — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:13:25 +0000

Scotland’s plans for tackling climate change are the most ambitious in the world, thanks to the efforts of thousands of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland supporters. We need your help to keep it that way.

The Scottish Government will soon be making its proposal about how the ambitious targets in the Climate Change Act can be met – it’s the crucial first stage of putting the Act into practice.

Let’s urge the government to keep taking a lead on climate change and to propose early and ambitious cuts for greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland.

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.

Responding positively to the climate change debate

TomAllen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:35:35 +0000

Over the last few months, there has been an increasing amount of coverage in the media on climate change. From the illegal hacking of the University of East Anglia emails, to the rate of disappearance of Himalayan glaciers, this coverage threatens public understanding of, and therefore action on, climate change.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland response to COP15 Copenhagen talks

TomAllen — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:06:06 +0000

Speaking on the outcome of the UN summit on climate change in Copenhagen, Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said:

We needed commitments of money, ambitious targets and a legal framework to underpin it all. So far we have none of these. We have a vague promise of half the money that is required by 2020, inadequate targets which the UN has confirmed will add up to a minimum 3°C increase in global temperatures, and no legal framework. What’s worse, we don’t even have a timetable to sort it out. It’s hardly the leadership we had all been hoping for and we have a right to be disappointed.

The Wave in Scotland

Timystic — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:05:06 +0000

Thank you to the 8,000 people who took to the streets of Glasgow on Saturday 5th December to demand urgent action on climate change.

Ahead of the UN climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, the march was organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland to call on our political leaders to secure an international deal that prevents runaway climate change.

Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said:

I am delighted so many people braved the December weather to take a stand against climate change. Scotland has the strongest climate legislation in the world and the turn out today shows why – people care. Leaders meeting in Copenhagen over the next two weeks should be in no doubt, the eyes of the world are on them and we must see the western world in particular, setting the scale and immediacy of targets we know we need to prevent runaway climate change.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 14

TomAllen — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:36:35 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Fourteen - by Dr Richard Dixon.
Sunday 20th December 2009

After Obama’s private press conference the world thought they knew what had been agreed and that became the story in the global media. But the conference was not actually over for another 20 hours and the delegates came back together to decide that, actually, they didn’t want to adopt the document now known as the Copenhagen Accord. A number of countries complained about the big countries stitching up an agreement between themselves and subverting the UN process.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 13

TomAllen — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:30:33 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Thirteen - by Dr Richard Dixon.
Saturday 19th December 2009

Friday started with a live input to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme from the roof of a hotel which was also a ship. It was the first time I have had frozen toes while on the radio.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 12

TomAllen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:25:29 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Twelve - by Dr Richard Dixon.
Friday 18th December 2009

Yesterday only 300 NGO people were allowed into the Bella Center. Several NGOs tried to sit in overnight. The last two WWF people were extracted from their hiding place in the gent’s loos around 5am.

I spent the day elsewhere, first in an office WWF had been lent and then in the evening in an ex-cattle market which is now an art gallery and meeting space. When I arrived it was lit only with candles and people were singing songs about the planet. It got a bit more business like but the internet kept breaking.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 11

TomAllen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:44:09 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Eleven - by Dr Richard Dixon.
Thursday 17th December 2009

Wednesday started with braving the beefed up police presence and the snow to spend 90 minutes giving out more of our lovely Scotland badges, with colleagues from SCIAF. Again lots of people had heard of our 42% by 2020 target and most of those who had not were impressed. A good number of Americans and Australians took a badge and said: "Yes, I’m Scottish."

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 10

TomAllen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:06:21 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Ten - by Dr Richard Dixon.
Wednesday 16th December 2009

It is remarkable how popular you become when you have bottles of whisky to give away. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland had some whisky specially created to celebrate the Scottish climate change act. It is called 2020 and is 42% alcohol and both Sam and I have spent too many hours fighting with the UN bureaucracy trying to get some of it into the Bella Center. A battle we finally won yesterday.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 9

TomAllen — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:53 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Nine - by Dr Richard Dixon.
Tuesday 15th December 2009

There was double chaos at the Bella Center yesterday. At the negotiations the African grouping decided that the industrialised countries were not serious about a new phase of the Kyoto Protocol, the only legal instrument that can set targets for those countries. They refused to take part in other formal talks until this was resolved and so many hours of toing and froing by the UN secretariat ensued until everyone’s nerves were calmed and things got going again.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 8

TomAllen — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:53:18 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Eight - by Dr Richard Dixon.
Monday 14th December 2009

Sunday was a day of planning, with an incredible seven hours’ worth for the international Climate Action Network. We had several frank assessments of where each of the key issues are at in the negotiations and which key countries are good, bad or indifferent on each of these. We also looked at how we would respond to the different possible outcomes this Friday or Saturday.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 7

TomAllen — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:40:49 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Seven - by Dr Richard Dixon.
Sunday 13th December 2009

It was great to meet a number of familiar faces again, once I had been through the long queue for registration at the Bella Centre yesterday. There was some optimism around and even the EU managed to sound upbeat after winning a Fossil of the Day yesterday for their apparent lack of ambition.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 6

TomAllen — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:16:33 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Six - by Dr Sam Gardner.
Saturday 12th December 2009

Over the two weeks of this conference Copenhagen has been renamed Hopenhagen. Everywhere you go the signs and banners hang from buildings or wrap around buses. Hope though does not leap from advertising banners but must have foundations in the actions of leaders. As this conference progresses huge steps need to be made if this word is to resonate with the millions whose lives are threatened by climate change.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 5

TomAllen — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:44:57 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY Five - by Dr Sam Gardner.
Friday 11th December 2009

Yesterday Copenhagen replaced Tiger Woods as the world's number one search query on Google. If interest in these negotiations can knock the global fascination with the personal life of a (albeit amazingly talented) golfer from the top of the pile then maybe the world will not allow a these talks to fail.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 4

TomAllen — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:27:44 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY FOUR by Dr Sam Gardner.
Thursday 10th December 2009

It’s perhaps a sign of man's ability to adapt to new environments that having only been in the COP15 world for less than 24 hours I’m now striding about as if I’ve been hear for days. Rushing from one plenary meeting to a side event and onto a press conference, only pausing to top up my bottle of water (it’s thirsty work) or grab an apple from the guy selling them from his bike.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 3

TomAllen — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:34:23 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY THREE - by Dr Sam Gardner.
Wednesday 9th December 2009

My first encounter with Copenhagen public transport was slightly surreal. It turned out my driver was a big fan of Take That and my first trip to the other world that is the conference centre was accompanied by him and Gary Barlow blaring out of the radio. Not really the soundtrack I would have chosen to play over my introduction to the beast that is COP15 .

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland goes to Copenhagen

TomAllen — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:44:40 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has sent a delegation to Copenhagen to promote the Scottish Climate Change Act as an example of ambitious climate change legislation that should be followed by other rich countries.

Dr Sam Gardner, Co-chair of our Policy and Advocacy Group will represent us during the first week of the talks (7th - 12th Dec), followed by SCCS Board member, Dr Richard Dixon, during the second week (12th - 19th Dec).

In their daily blog they will keep us up-to-date with what's happening at the negotiations.

Day 1 • Day 2 • Day 3 • Day 4 • Day 5 • Day 6 • Day 7 • Day 8 • Day 9 • Day 10 • Day 11 • Day 12 • Day 13 • Day 14

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 2

TomAllen — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:29:23 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY TWO - by Dr Sam Gardner.
Tuesday 8th December 2009

OK, I’m getting closer. Honest.

And by the time you read this I should have completed stage six of my seven part journey and be stepping off a sleeper train in the centre of Copenhagen - right in the heart of the action.

SCCS blog from Copenhagen: Part 1

TomAllen — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:19:08 +0000

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland @ Cop15

DAY ONE by Dr Sam Gardner.
Monday 7th December 2009

Right now, assuming part two of my seven-part journey has gone to plan, I should have eaten a hearty breakfast and now be preparing to disembark from a ferry. If not, then I'm hoping the restaurant doesn't run out of food as I bob around somewhere in the middle of the North Sea.

People across Scotland urged to join The Wave

TomAllen — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:45:21 +0000

Be Part of Scotland’s Largest-Ever Climate Change Rally

People from across Scotland are being urged to send a clear message to world leaders by joining Scotland’s largest-ever climate change rally, The Wave, in Glasgow on 5th December ahead of a crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen (7-19th Dec.).

Water industry must prioritise new climate obligations

TomAllen — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:31:25 +0100

Press Release: Tuesday 22 September 2009

Climate change campaigners today urged Scotland’s water industry regulator to ensure that it and Scottish Water prioritise complying with new climate change legislation.

Scotland's Climate Bill is approved by the Queen

Timystic — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:26:00 +0100

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today made history by giving Royal Assent to The Scottish Climate Change Bill, the strongest piece of climate change legislation in the world.

The world-leading Act sets vital international precedents and an example for other wealthy nations to follow ahead of the UN’s climate change talks in Copenhagen in December, which will agree a replacement to the Kyoto Protocol.

Why the Scottish Climate Change Act is leading the way

TomAllen — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:56:21 +0100

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.

Scotland 'leads the world' in the fight against climate change

Timystic — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:13:42 +0100

The Scottish Parliament today (Wednesday 24 June) led the world by passing the strongest climate change legislation of any industrialised nation.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland lobbying at Holyrood - image Maverick Photo Agency

Scotland's Climate Bill on the verge of leading the world

Timystic — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:16:58 +0100

Coalition group hails Government amendment and urges MSPs to fix remaining loopholes.

Scotland's climate change legislation is once again on the verge of being 'world leading' said campaigners today (Tuesday 23 June). The Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) coalition made the call in response to a Scottish Government amendment tabled last night, after the main deadline, which calls for a reduction of 42% in Scotland's climate emissions by 2020 from 1990 levels. Until last night the Government was only supporting a 34% reduction from the start.

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

TomAllen — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:23:48 +0100

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.

SCCS call for the end to weak targets

Timystic — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:08:40 +0100

The Scottish Government has "run out of excuses" and must take immediate steps to amend the "weak" interim targets currently contained within its climate change bill, due to be voted on by MSPs for the final time next week, said Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) today (Wednesday 17 June).

The coalition made the call following the publication today of the Scottish Government's Climate Delivery Plan [1], which shows that in spite of Government reluctance Scotland could meet the tougher pollution reductions that science say will be needed to avoid the worst ravages of climate chaos.

Campaigners welcome energy efficiency in Scotland's Climate Change Bill

Timystic — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:07:07 +0100

Scottish campaigners representing over 1.5 million people across Scotland have welcomed amendments to deliver greater energy efficiency which have been approved by the Scottish Parliament committee scrutinising the Climate Change Bill today.

Amongst the amendments approved, were several put forward by Sarah Boyack MSP which will allow householders to receive discounts of up to £250 on their Council Tax bill if they install insulation or small-scale renewables. This measure was approved by MSPs on the committee by five votes in favour to three against.

SCCS welcomes ground-breaking amendments

TomAllen — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:10:22 +0100

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:

Email Iain Gray for a strong Scottish climate bill

TomAllen — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:14:04 +0100

On Wednesday 24th June, MSPs will vote on the final amendments to the Scottish Climate Change Bill. This is our last chance to remind our Parliament and Government of our expectations and their promises.

SCIAF have setup an action so you can email Iain Gray MSP, leader of the Labour group at the Scottish Parliament, to prompt him to strengthen the proposed bill.

Disappointment as SNP and Labour frustrate bill progress

TomAllen — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:10:11 +0100

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.

Last chance for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill

TomAllen — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:40:40 +0100

The next month is vital for Stop Climate Chaos Scotland’s campaign on the Scottish Climate Change Bill. The Parliament is likely to make the final changes to the draft law on 24 and 25 June. We only have one month to make all the noise we can!

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is organising a mass lobby of the Scottish Parliament on 24th June from 12 - 2.30pm. We aim to bring people from across Scotland to the Parliament to speak directly to their MSPs in support of early, tough action on climate change.

Email your European election candidates now!

TomAllen — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:41:10 +0100

The European Parliament elections are on 4 June.

Over 80% of Scotland's environmental legislation has its roots in
Europe. If you care about the environment, then these elections are important.

Ask your candidates how they plan for the European Union to take
the lead on tackling climate change.

Dalkeith High School win our Scottish filmmaking contest

TomAllen — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:32:54 +0100

A Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and Christian Aid filmmaking competition has been won by a group from Dalkeith High School.

The Scotland-wide competition was to make a short film about climate change, and you can view the winning film below:

People & Planet descends on Scottish Parliament to Stop Climate Chaos

AndyBrace — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:55:35 +0100

A number of Scottish P&P groups joined an April rally outside the Scottish Parliament as part of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition. Ben Miller, Regional Rep for South Scotland reported.

Coalition urges MSPs to strengthen bill

TomAllen — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:45:09 +0100

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.

Scottish climate change bill action

TomAllen — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:35:19 +0100

Scottish Parliament’s Climate Change Committee has just published its recommendations of what should be in the Scottish Climate Change Bill.

With this WWF action you can email all eight of your MSPs, asking them to go to the Stage One Debate to strengthen the bill and include our recommendations.

MSPs put pressure on for strong Climate Bill

TomAllen — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:58:23 +0100

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 18:03:39 +0100

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

Scottish Climate Change Rally

TomAllen — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:40:34 +0100

There is an updated version of this story.

Scotland needs to act at home on climate change

TomAllen — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:27:57 +0100

8 April 2009

Business and climate change campaign groups unite to push amendment to Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Protesters converge on RBS AGM to demand clean investments

TomAllen — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:32:34 +0100

On Friday 3 April, at the culmination of the G20 protests, students from campaign group People & Planet are taking action in London and Edinburgh to expose RBS's investments in climate changing fossil fuels.

Converging on the EICC in Edinburgh and RBS offices on Bishopsgate in London on the day of the bank's AGM, armed with feather dusters, dressed as cleaners and dodgy bankers, protesters will demand the right to vote for a clean RBS.

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.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition briefing papers

TomAllen — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:32:27 +0000

The Climate Change (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament in December 2008.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has produced briefing papers relating to the key priorities we have identified to ensure that Scotland has a strong, world-leading piece of legislation to tackle climate change.

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.

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

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.

Edinburgh Question Time

TomAllen — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:51:09 +0100

The first in the series of Stop Climate Chaos ‘Question Time’ events took place in Edinburgh on the 6th October. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland organised it in partnership with People and Planet and Edinburgh University.

Around 200 students and members of the public packed in to quiz Members of the Scottish and Westminster Parliaments, along with NGO and Energy Industry representatives, about their views on Energy and Climate Change.

Royal Bank of Scotland sells its shares in Phulbari mine scheme

AndyBrace — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:12:28 +0100

British bank Royal Bank of Scotland has sold its shares in Global Coal Management Resources (GCM ltd), the British company behind the Phulbari open-cast mine project in Bangladesh.

In August 2008, 110 organisations from across the world wrote to RBS calling on it to withdraw its investment from the disastrous Phulbari project. The British bank has now responded by selling its shares, held through subsidiary ABN Amro, and telling campaigners RBS is “no longer an investor in GCM Resources”.

Climate Camp: A Life Changing Experience

AndyBrace — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:15:29 +0100

Amanda Grimm a 2nd year student in the People & Planet group at the University of Edinburgh reports back on her experience at the Climate camp.