Scottish Government Programme for Government – Climate Emergency Response Group comment

The Climate Emergency Response Group, (CERG) a group of civic and business leaders, welcomed the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government which was published today [1].
Speaking on behalf of CERG, Elizabeth Leighton, who provides the secretariat for CERG said:

“We are pleased to see the government’s commitment to a fairer, greener future in its response to the global pandemic. We welcome the decision to invest in our buildings, to make them warmer, healthier and zero emissions by 2040. We also welcome the investment in ’20 minute neighbourhoods’ – where people can meet their needs within a 20 minute walk of their home – making our cities and towns greener and more liveable. The commitment to a green jobs fund and green apprenticeships will help create and sustain jobs to deliver these goals.”

“We believe Scotland’s response to COVID-19 is a massive opportunity to prioritise a just transition to a net-zero economy – creating and sustaining jobs for the future and responding to the climate emergency – an emergency which has not gone away.”

“We look forward to studying the Programme for Government and the forthcoming Infrastructure Investment Plan in more detail.”

The Climate Emergency Response Group recently published an eight point plan for Scotland’s green recovery, setting out the practical solutions that the Scottish Government should implement now, in order to capitalize on jobs, health and wellbeing opportunities while responding to the climate emergency – an emergency that has not gone away. [2]

ENDS

Contact: Elizabeth Leighton, Secretariat, CERG elizabeth@leightonconsulting.co.uk

[1]Scottish Government Programme for Government

[2] Climate Emergency Response Group – Eight Point Plan for Scotland’s Green