Parliament Backs World's Strongest Climate Bill

The Scottish Government's world leading legislation to tackle climate change was passed by Parliament today.

The Scottish Climate Change Bill sets a target of reducing emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, including emissions from international aviation and shipping. It also sets an interim target for a 42 per cent cut in emissions by 2020.

Speaking following the vote, Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

"Scotland can be proud of this Bill, the most ambitious and comprehensive piece of climate change legislation anywhere in the world.

As a country we are leading global action and expect others to follow our lead as we look to the international summit in Copenhagen this December.

"Setting targets is not an end in itself, it is delivery that matters. In our Delivery Plan published last week we set out a vision of how we will achieve our targets, demanding action now and in the future.

"While climate change is a threat, it should also be seen as a real opportunity. Harnessing the energy related opportunities presented by Scotland's natural capital can create tens of thousands of jobs and help us emerge from the current global economic downturn on the back of a strong green economic revival.

"Achieving these targets will be challenging. But I am confident that Government, business and the people of Scotland are ready to rise to the challenge."

Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger also gave his backing to the Bill.

He said:

"Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. California has set aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets, but we need the help of the world to tackle the most pressing environmental issue of our time.

"Scotland's ambitious and comprehensive targets encourage other nations to step up to the plate as we look toward an international agreement in Copenhagen, and it sends a message to the world that we must act now and we must act swiftly."