£50m green jobs boost shows alternative to Tory oil and gas obsession
A £50m investment to create thousands of clean energy jobs in the North-East and Moray sends a ‘bold message to the world’ Scotland will resist Tory attempts to keep the planet hooked on oil and gas, say the Scottish Greens.
Twenty-two projects will share in the Just Transition Fund allocation for delivering new green skills training facilities, emerging energy technology pilot schemes, research and innovation and net zero ready supply chains.
Maggie Chapman, Regional MSP for North East Scotland and the Scottish Greens economy spokesperson, said:
“This is what climate leadership looks like.
“Securing large scale investment for a Just Transition was at the heart of the Bute House Agreement which saw the Scottish Greens agree to work with the SNP on positioning the climate crisis front and centre of decision making.
“This is tangible evidence of a way forward for a secure, cleaner energy industry. Real jobs with real investment, creating opportunities for future proofed, high skilled and high value employment in the region for generations to come.”
“By contrast, the UK Government and the oil and gas sector are colluding under a fog of war between Ukraine and Russia, to fast-track exploration and extraction licences in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence and appeals against.
“They have opened nearly 900 sites for exploration, with more than 100 for licences. That’s despite the International Panel on Climate Change and International Energy Agency among those saying there should be none if we are to hit our net zero targets.
“You can’t drill your way out of the climate crisis any more than you can spend your multi million pound share dividends on a dead planet. Instead of setting fire to our children’s future, they should be creating their green jobs of tomorrow.
“The Energy Skills Passport coupled with unrivalled expertise for on and offshore wind, wave and tidal technologies makes us a world leader in renewable technologies.
“Today’s announcement sends a bold message to the world that our reliance on fossil fuels is coming to an end and that this Tory obsession with keeping the planet hooked on oil and gas will be resisted at every turn.
“I am grateful to all those who have worked so hard over the past year on delivering this transformational package for my constituency as the first step on our journey towards a greener, fairer and work-force and future.”
- Read more: Energy and a Just Transition
The £500m Just Transition Fund was a key commitment in the Bute House Agreement, the shared policy programme between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party.
Among those areas selected for funding are an Advance Manufacturing Skills Hub, Skills Passport and Just Transition Hub, with further community benefits for projects including Findhorn EcoVillage, Findhorn Watershed Riverwoods Pilot, and a railway feasibility study.
Full details of all projects awarded funding can be viewed on the Scottish Government website.