Presumption against oil and gas crucial for greener future
Ending the Scottish Government’s presumption against new oil and gas would be a betrayal of our planet and an act of climate vandalism, says the Scottish Greens’ climate spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP.
Mr Ruskell’s comments come ahead of the publication of the Government’s energy strategy and following calls from the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce for the policy to be dropped.
The Scottish Government’s draft plan, published in 2023, reflected long-standing Scottish Green policies for an end to new oil and gas drilling and coal and a just transition to clean renewable energy in Scotland’s efforts to reach net zero.
Mr Ruskell said: “We are at a crossroads for our planet. 2024 was the hottest year on record. We only have to look at the flooding we have seen across Europe and the deadly fires that have ravaged California to see what climate chaos could do to our communities and the world around us.
“Embarking on new drilling projects would be a betrayal of our planet and a terrible act of climate vandalism.
“Scotland has a vast renewable potential that any country would envy. Nothing other than a phasing out of oil and gas and a rapid acceleration towards a renewables-led transition for the industry makes sense economically or environmentally.
“With an ambitious green investment programme, we can turbo-charge Scotland’s transition to net zero and build a green industrial base that will ensure quality jobs and
prosperity for communities across our country.“If we are serious about energy security and cutting emissions then it is time to support the transition for clean, green and homegrown renewable energy.”