Scottish Government consultations closing - Climate change Bill and Environment Stategy

16 August 2018

Climate Change Bill

From Caroline Rance, Climate and Energy Campaigner, Friends of the Earth Scotland

I just wanted to make sure you didn’t miss your chance to respond to the consultation on the climate bill. The deadline is 23 August.

MSPs on the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform committee in the Scottish Parliament want to know your views, so don’t miss the chance to tell them! FoES and other organisations will respond, but this committee rarely hears from members of the public so it would be great if you were able to put in even something short.

I know many of you submitted a detailed response to the government consultation last summer, but these MSPs - who will be responsible for amending and improving the bill before it becomes law -  will not have seen those. Indeed if you did respond last year, you may find it easier to amend that response rather than start anew! You can submit an individual response, or on behalf of your group.

As you know, the Climate Bill as it stands is deeply disappointing. But things are looking up as this week Labour announced they’ll be working to improve the targets in the Bill, to increase action over the next decade and set a net-zero target by 2050. Thanks to each of you who contacted/ met your Labour MSPs, it does make a difference!

You can see more info about the consultation/ call for evidence on the committee's (long, and not terribly clear) webpage here.

We’ve provided some tips on how to respond, and some of our key points.

0131 243 2705  CRance@foe.scot
Thorn House, 5 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR

Scottish Environmental Strategy

From the August issue of the Learning for Sustainability Scotland bulletin -

The Scottish Government are currently developing an Environmental Strategy to protect the environment, safeguard natural capital and address environmental challenges. Read more on the Discussion Paper here. The draft vision and outcomes have been aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which is great to see.

Comments on the discussion paper are invited by 24 August.