NICOLA Sturgeon has welcomed an "ambitious" new agreement that recognises the “crucial” role of devolved, state and regional governments in delivering net-zero carbon emissions.
The Under2 Coalition – the group of state, regional and devolved governments working together to limit climate change – has agreed on a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which could impact the lives of nearly two billion people worldwide.
As European co-chair, Scotland is urging members to sign the MoU – which is in line with the Paris Agreement – and commit to achieving net zero, as a group, no later than 2050 – and to reaching it individually, as soon as possible.
Some 50-80% of adaptation and mitigation actions necessary to tackle climate change will be implemented at the subnational or local levels.
READ MORE: 'Absurd' to call UK Government's £100m COP26 fund a 'Union dividend'
With COP26 coming to Glasgow, the Scottish Government says it will use its platform as co-chair to encourage other subnational governments to sign up during the climate conference.
Thousands of delegates are set to descend on Glasgow for the international climate summit - with president Joe Biden also set to attend.
It was at at COP21 where the Paris Agreement was adopted, a legally binding international treaty to limit global warming to well below two, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Scotland will be co-hosting the Under2 Coalition General Assembly in Glasgow on Sunday, November 7.
Sturgeon fired a warning call for countries to act on the climate crisis before it is too late.
The First Minister said: “COP26 in Glasgow is one of the world’s last chances to deliver on the aims of the Paris Agreement.
“To achieve that it is essential that countries turn promises into action, and it is crucial that states, regions and devolved governments play our full part.
“Collectively, we share the responsibility for delivering the actions required to achieve over half of the emissions cuts needed at a global level.
“As European co-chair of the Under2 Coalition, which now represents almost 2 billion people around the world, I urge state, regional and devolved governments to up their ambition.
“By doing so, we can spur national governments to go further and faster, too.”
READ MORE: Cambo oil field: Oil and Gas Authority refuse to release documents
Responding to the news of the agreement, WWF Scotland director Lang Banks, said: “Much of the focus to date has been on big emitters, such as the UK, China, and other official Parties to the UN climate talks.
“However, put simply, we won’t be able to successfully address the climate emergency without action by devolved nations, like Scotland, acting alongside states and regional governments globally.
“We therefore welcome the announcement today that 260 regional, devolved and subnational governments, including our own, have now committed as a group to align with science and the Paris Agreement by achieving ‘net zero’ emissions.
“As well as delivering on its own pledge domestically, we hope the Scottish Government will continue to inspire others by demonstrating climate solutions, help ensure states and regions are included in the UN process, and do all it can to ensure this group of governments deliver substantial emissions reductions on time.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here