Minister's Mandate to Talk Climate Change

STEWART STEVENSON GIVEN BACKING OF PARLIAMENT TO STATE SCOTLAND'S CASE.

Scotland's climate change minister has been given the full support of parliament to take Scotland's emissions targets to Copenhagen to inspire the rest of the world to take action.

The Minister told a parliamentary debate on climate change today that Scotland's ambitious targets sent a message to the rest of the world that the nation is committed to deliver on emissions reductions and has already begun to make significant progress. He said:

"We are a nation with a record of supporting others in their development which is why we are taking the Scottish example to Copenhagen - to lead and inspire others to action. Legislation alone won't bring about the move to a low carbon economy and therefore this Government is taking action which will lead to real changes in everyday actions: by businesses; the public sector; voluntary and community groups; and individuals.

As further evidence of Scotland's commitment to respond to our global responsibilities on climate change, the Minister also announced that the Scottish Government will be establishing a number of Fellowships to allow talented individuals from Commonwealth countries to come to Scotland to share in our cutting edge knowledge on climate change adaptation and mitigation. The 2014 Climate Change Saltire Fellowships will fulfil a commitment made as part of the Commonwealth Games bid to set up a carbon emissions reduction fund.

The Minister said:

"The Fellowships will be targeted at climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in Commonwealth countries, particularly those least able to deal with the impacts of climate change. We believe there is a tremendous opportunity to assist Commonwealth countries through transferring relevant expertise in knowledge and skills transfer in areas where Scotland is strong, such as carbon capture and storage and community action on climate change.

The Fellowships will bring direct and lasting benefits to Commonwealth countries through reducing emissions or assisting adaptation in a way that best meets local circumstances and there will also be benefits to the Scottish economy and to the economies of Commonwealth countries through the exchange and application of climate change knowledge."

The Minister also announced a new alliance to progress the work being done on low carbon development. He said that a range of Scottish organisations from across industry, government, academia and civil society are to join together to co-operate with the efforts of the UK and the EU in establishing this global framework for low carbon energy supplies.

Mr Stevenson said:

"This partnership will work together to support these international efforts through offering expertise and capacity and to pull together packages for funding support where necessary. Assuming that the UNFCCC process is able to agree a legal and financial framework for low carbon mitigation and adaptation actions in developing countries during 2010, this Scottish partnership stands ready to work with the UK and our European and global partners on a series of practical actions to deliver on this."

Borders Railway tender process commences

The process of identifying the contractor who will build and maintain the new rail link to the Borders is now under way.

The notice for the construction has been submitted for publication in the Official Journal of European Union (OJEU) by Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government agency in charge of the scheme.

The milestone has been reached in a project which forms a key part of a programme of investment in Scotland’s road and rail networks which will help promote the Scottish Government’s objective of sustainable economic growth.

The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson said.

“The Scottish Government has made clear its commitment to this key part of our programme of investment - we are now delivering on that commitment.

“A fast, efficient rail link connecting communities from the Scottish Borders to Midlothian and Edinburgh will act as a catalyst for economic growth right across southern Scotland, supporting hundreds of jobs during its construction. And a new link will increase business development and housing opportunities, and help promote inward investment.

“I will be stating Scotland’s case on climate change at Copenhagen next week and a rail link through the Scottish Borders to Edinburgh will also help us meet our commitments to the environment. The link will contribute to Scotland’s reduction in carbon emissions whilst providing opportunities to make the switch from car to train. This will help tackle congestion along the A7 and A68, in turn reducing the number of road accidents on those routes.

“We’re determined to deliver this project for people throughout Midlothian and the Scottish Borders and I’m delighted that we’re on track to open up those regions to rail passengers again for the first time in over forty years.”

All the required land has been acquired to allow construction of the railway. Accelerated funding was made available last year to allow advanced works to be completed early to reduce the level of risk in the main works contract.

It is anticipated that the construction contract will be awarded in Autumn 2011.

Stevenson Disappointed by Lack of Accelerated Capital Spending for Peterhead

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has expressed his frustration at the UK Government’s refusal to accelerate capital spending and the impact it will have on Peterhead. Accelerated capital spending last year was a vital part of the economic stimulus needed to combat the recession, but the UK Government has refused to repeat the measure this year despite stimulus packages continuing in other countries.

Accelerated capital spending this year could have allowed work to begin on the £2.2 million Peterhead Energy Industry Park, as identified by First Minister Alex Salmond during First Minister’s Questions today (Thursday), and funded the construction of social housing and other projects across Scotland.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“It is extremely disappointing that the UK Government has chosen to put the prospect of economic recovery at risk through their refusal to accelerate capital spending. The UK Government’s failures risk prolonging the recession and continuing to hurt hard working families that are struggling to cope.

“It is particularly frustrating for people in Peterhead given that they could have directly benefited from having the funding for the Energy Industry Park available immediately.

“The UK Government’s repeated failure to take the economic measures that are needed for Scotland’s recovery only serve to underline the pressing need for Scotland to take control of our own financial decisions. With too many households facing economic hardship, Scotland cannot afford anything less.”