REPRESENTING Scotland at key pre-COP26 talks with parliamentarians from around the world was a “humbling” experience, according to SNP MP Chris Law.
Law, MP for Dundee West, travelled to Rome last week for the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Italian Parliament’s climate talks ahead of the upcoming Glasgow climate summit.
The IPU has existed since 1889 and brings together 179 member parliaments with the aim of “democracy for everyone”.
Pope Francis was among the figures to address the two-day conference, encouraging them to work together for the future of the next generations.
“We appeal to governments to adopt without delay a course of action that would limit the average global temperature rise and to take courageous steps, including the strengthening of international cooperation,” he told the parliamentarians present.
Law told The National of the success of the conference, which saw parliamentarians agree a common framework and draft statement to present to COP26 soon.
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“Climate change will not be solved by one country or one Government going it alone – by taking a multilateral approach and working together, much like with Covid, will be much more beneficial to all of us,” he said.
“I was keen to hear what international leaders, such as His Holiness Pope Francis, had to say on the importance of working together internationally, both across governments and faiths.”
Sharing photographs of the trip online, Law said he had been “humbled” by the experience.
While appearing at the conference as part of the UK Parliament, Law said Scotland shows you “don’t need to be a global superpower to be able to lead from the front”.
“You just need ambition and the desire to tackle it head on,” he added. “I have been particularly proud of our world-first Climate Justice Fund, which will help communities worst-affected by climate change to build resilience for the future.”
The MP called on Scots to take advantage of the COP26 summit taking place in the country and get engaged in the climate conversation now.
“Over the coming years and decades, Scots are likely to start seeing more adverse weathers, fluctuating temperatures, as well as the cumulative effects these adverse changes will have in other countries around the globe,” he explained.
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“As a country who was at the forefront of the industrial revolution and has reaped the benefits of that leadership, we must recognise that we have a moral obligation to show leadership and interest in leading the battle against climate change.
“That leadership will benefit not just the current generations but the future generations here in Scotland.”
Today, First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon will deliver a TED Talk on the role of smaller countries in the fight against the climate crisis.
The First Minister will also give a talk to the Arctic Circle Assembly, the largest annual international gathering on the Arctic, in Reykjavik, Iceland, tomorrow.
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