COP28: Scotland must show world way to a future without oil and gas
Scotland must step-up efforts to phase out fossil fuels after world leaders agreed a deal at COP28 which for the first time calls for a transition away from oil and gas, say the Scottish Greens.
The party’s climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said: “While the final text of this deal is a step forward, it is clear this has only been agreed through gritted teeth to allow the hosts to save face.
“It is deeply troubling how much influence and pressure that the big petrostates with financial muscle bring to bear on these talks, compared with those nations who are on the front line of the climate crisis.
“If there is a positive to be taken, it is that for the first time those in the room acknowledged that oil and gas is a problem that must be solved. But few will believe there is sincerity until their warm words are turned into action.
“That must include Scotland, which must speed up the action we are taking to deliver a genuine just transition that leaves no worker behind. The kind of plan that is already seeing £90bn of green investment rolling out in the next three years supporting 77,000 jobs.
“With a tripling of renewable energy by 2030 also outlined in the talks, Scotland is among the best placed in the world to take advantage of demand thanks to skilled workers, abundance of natural resources and our reputation as a world leader in everything from wind to solar and tidal energy.
“As with everything the climate summit affords the potential of scale, but what we do here in Scotland will define the role we play on that stage and should be part of a collective effort.
“The Scottish Greens have helped to influence and drive the climate agenda at the heart of this government, we are focusing minds and championing the calls from campaigners, yet there is so much more to do.
“Today, for the first time, the world heard and agreed we must move away from fossil fuels, and Scotland must help to lead that effort.”
