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Scotland 'should be at Copenhagen climate talks'

by mudricky | December 5, 2009 at 06:31 pm

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An MEP [Member of the European Parliament] from Scotland has spoken out regarding the Copenhagen climate change talks as he feels Scotland and the Scottish Government should get a place and a voice at the talks and that it should not be left to the UK government in London.

Scotland is way ahead of most country's regarding climate change and has already passed ambitious legislation to cut emissions by 42% by 2020.

SNP MEP Alyn Smith said that given Scotland's position on climate change, it was "outrageous" its government was not being included.

Mr Smith said "Given Scotland's world-leading framework for tackling climate change, it is outrageous that the UK ministers have sidelined the Scottish government from the Copenhagen conference. Even at this late stage, they must reconsider.

"Around the world, countries are beginning to listen. Having led the way thus far, Scotland simply must not be silenced by London Labour."

Meanwhile, Scotland's Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson is to take part in a separate climate change event in Copenhagen.
The Low Carbon Mission on 14 December will focus on Scotland's own climate change framework.

Mr Stevenson said he hoped Scotland's presence in Copenhagen could "inspire other nations" to take similar action.

The event will also be attended by Ian Marchant, chief executive of Scottish and Southern Energy, and Mary Robinson, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Mr Stevenson said: "It is only right and proper that Scotland should be setting out our ambitions on the world stage given that our legislation is the most comprehensive anywhere in the world.

"The eyes of the world are now on Copenhagen in the hope of an agreement for real action on climate change being achieved."

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Jessica Tucker

at 18:54 on December 5th, 2009

Considering that this is kind of a global concern we are talking about here at and at the
Copenhagen climate talks, all countries should be included. I hope Scotland is included.