Majority of Scots back starting transition from oil and gas
A majority of Scots support starting the transition away from oil and gas towards greener alternatives, a new poll has found.
Scottish Greens North East Scotland MSP Maggie Chapman has said the poll shows It is essential that Scotland begins a just transition away from oil and gas.
The new poll commissioned by the Greens and conducted by Survation found that a majority of those surveyed support Scotland beginning such a transition, while just 18% opposed it.
Maggie Chapman MSP said:
“Just last week we received the latest dire warning from the UN’s climate experts of the importance of accelerating climate action immediately. Not only do we need to stop our polluting practices like oil and gas extraction, but we need to allocate significant investment to the alternatives.
“The area I represent, the north east of Scotland, has been particularly dependent on the oil and gas sector for jobs in recent decades. That is why a just transition away from oil and gas and toward the industries of the future, where we can create thousands of cleaner, greener jobs, is so important, and why I’m delighted to see that a majority of Scots support one.
“With Greens in government we are expanding Scotland’s renewable capacity and have committed to a £500 million just transition deal for the north east, to support the communities and workers who have relied on the fossil fuel industries for work to move to the energy industries of the future.
“But with energy policy reserved, the UK’s over-reliance on oil and gas has seen bills soar as the wholesale gas prices have rocketed. David Cameron’s decision to “cut the green crap” added billions to energy bills and left us with an over-reliance on expensive gas. And these costs are likely to get even higher in the months to come as a result of Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.
“A Just Transition would tackle energy bills, Putin’s power and the climate crisis, yet the UK Government are talking about doing the opposite.
“It’s clear the public understand that ending Scotland’s over-reliance on oil and gas and investing in a just transition for workers and communities is a win win for our planet and economy.”