THE Scottish Greens have urged Finance Secretary John Swinney to deliver “serious investment” in low carbon technology following the weekend’s landmark global climate change deal struck in Paris.
Patrick Harvie, co-convenor and finance spokesman for the party, said it was vital this week’s draft Scottish Budget – due to be delivered by John Swinney on Wednesday – reflected the agreement by providing funds for low carbon infrastructure and jobs.
The Paris deal, which has been signed by 195 nations and is the first comprehensive, globally agreed accord of its kind, aims to curb global warming to less than 2C by the end of the century.
It has been welcomed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who attended the summit in the French capital, as a “welcome step forward”.
Harvie said fossil fuels such as coal and gas should be abandoned immediately, and that Scotland was “well placed” to move to green technologies.
He added: “This week’s draft budget statement from the Scottish Government must deliver serious investment in the low carbon infrastructure our country needs, in turn creating the jobs of the future.
“Energy efficient housing, better public transport and support for community and publicly owned renewables have been consistent priorities from the Scottish Greens.
“A bold budget and a clear commitment to move away from unburnable oil and gas is the only credible response.”
The call came as Swinney warned that the country faces “tough choices” in the wake of Chancellor George Osborne’s recent spending review, with unprecedented pressure on public spending.
The Paris deal, which came after two weeks of negotiations, has been hailed by world leaders.
US President Barack Obama said the agreement could be “a turning point for the world”, adding that it creating the “mechanism and architecture for us to continually tackle this problem in an effective way.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said while there was still work ahead, the deal was a “sign of hope that we will manage to secure the life conditions of billions of people for the future.”
Speaking at the Vatican, Pope Francis said special attention should be paid to the most vulnerable while implementing the accord, and urged “concerted effort and generous dedication on the part of everyone”.
Green groups have cautiously welcomed the deal, which also contains more funding for the world’s poorest countries to help deal with the impact of climate change.
Kumi Naidoo, director of Greenpeace International, said that although “the wheel of climate action turns slowly” the Paris agreement signalled that it had at least turned. He added: “This deal puts the fossil fuel industry on the wrong side of history.”
French President Francois Hollande has called on nearly 200 nations to adopt “the first universal agreement on climate”.
He told delegates at the Paris conference that the deal would be “unprecedented” in the history of international climate talks.
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon also made an impassioned plea to world diplomats negotiating the deal.
“The whole world is watching. Billions of people are relying on your wisdom,” he said.
“The time has come to acknowledge that national interests are best served by acting in the international interest. We have to do as science dictates. We must protect the planet that sustains us. We need all our hands on deck.”
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