Climate Emergency Response Group encouraged by climate emergency focus in Scottish Budget

The Climate Emergency Response Group, a group of civic and business leaders, is encouraged by the Scottish Government’s determination to place its response to the climate emergency at the heart of the Scottish Budget 2020/21 which is published today [1].

Speaking for the group, Teresa Bray, Chief Executive of Changeworks said:

“We welcome the spending plans set out today for the government’s response to the climate emergency and look forward to studying the plans in more detail. This investment will support the transition to healthier zero emission cities and towns, encourage the take up of clean, low carbon heat and help our farmers adopt climate-friendly practices.”

Last month the Climate Emergency Response Group published a report [2] calling for the Scottish Government to announce a transformative Climate Emergency Scottish Budget that will support Scotland’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2045 with rapid action required over the next decade. The report estimates the public spend required to fund the twelve immediate
actions proposed by CERG [3] and referred to in the government’s Programme for Government [4].

Mike Thornton, Group Director of Operations for the Energy Saving Trust, also commented on behalf of the group:

“The overall increase in investment to reduce our climate emissions, along with the signals to do more in the future, is a promising start on making the emergency response a reality in our day to day lives. The Climate Emergency Response Group put forward five main proposals for the Scottish Budget, on land, transport and buildings. We see progress in most areas and we look forward to learning more about the detail of the budget commitments.”

The Climate Emergency Response Group brings together leaders and influencers from across different sectors in Scotland, spanning private, public sector, third sector, delivery organisations and membership bodies. The group stands ready to support the government’s efforts and will continue to engage in efforts to address the climate emergency.

Ends

Notes to Editors

[1] Draft Scottish Budget 2020–21
[2] Funding the 12 immediate actions for Scotland’s Climate Emergency Response
[3] 12 immediate actions for Scotland’s climate emergency response
[4] Programme for Government
[5] This budget heralds in a monumental year for climate change action in Scotland. The eyes of the world will be Scotland in 2020 as Glasgow hosts the most important UN climate conference in history. Scotland’s climate targets are already world-leading, now our climate action needs to match them.

Further information:
Elizabeth Leighton, Secretariat, Climate Emergency Response Group
07792647005
elizabeth@leightonconsulting.co.uk