FMQs: First Minister urged to oppose new oil and gas exploration
The Scottish Government must take serious action if we are to get back on track to meet our climate targets, says Scottish Green Co-leader Lorna Slater, who has urged the First Minister to maintain a presumption against new oil and gas exploration.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Ms Slater used her first question to the First Minister to call for action to cut the cost of public transport and ramp up action on making homes warmer, greener and cheaper to heat.
Ms Slater said:
“2024 was the hottest year on record. We are seeing the climate breakdown in front of our eyes in devastating floods and raging wildfires.
“This is just the start now that planet Earth has crossed the threshold of 1.5 degrees of global heating. The promises made in the Paris Agreement have proven worthless. Global leaders have failed to protect our planet.
“Is Scotland’s First Minister prepared to take serious action on land use change, on reducing traffic by introducing road charges and cutting the cost of public transport, and cutting bills by making homes warmer, greener and cheaper to heat, so that we can get back on track to meet our climate targets?”
In her second question, Ms Slater urged the First Minister to retain the Scottish Government’s presumption against new oil and gas to enable a fair and just transition for workers and communities, saying:
“First Minister we have a duty to future generations not to let global heating spiral out of control.
“Existing oil and gas production must wind down as we transition to renewable energy, and new oil and gas exploration is not compatible with Scotland’s climate ambitions.
“The last time the First Minister was asked about Scotland's’ Energy Strategy, he said that the reason for further delay was recent court decisions blocking oil and gas projects on environmental grounds.
“But that can only worry him if he is intending to support new oil and gas projects in Scotland, so will the First Minister confirm today the presumption against new oil and gas in Scotland?”