The critics get their revenge on Lucas
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Are you frustrated about the way Scotland is lagging behind when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas? Here’s what to do. Words: Allan Radcliffe
he List is launching its own campaign to press
elected leaders to stop dithering about climate
change. The initiative follows a damning report from the Scottish Parliament‘s environment committee. which said this country is trailing the rest of the UK in terms of reducing greenhouse gass emissions. They fell by 5.6% north of the border between l990 and 2002 compared with 15% elsewhere.
The committee called on Scottish ministers to set tough targets on energy efficiency rather than simply contributing to UK objectives and recommended that such targets be incorporated into transport planning — also a devolved issue.
In 2000 the Scottish Executive published its Climate Change Programme. outlining how it would reduce the emissions causing climate chaos by 20l0. Objectives included a commitment to contribute to the UK’s obligation under the Kyoto agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2008—2012. But last week's report slammed Scotland's lack of progress
In his much-lauded speech on the environment at
Dynamic Earth. Edinburgh in February 2002. first minister Jack McConnell said: ‘Empowerment of individuals and communities is key to tackling environmental justice.‘
We couldn’t agree more. and contributing to this campaign couldn’t be easier. All we‘re asking you to do is email the environment minister Ross Finnie (via www.list.co.uk) demanding that he set a specific target for Scotland of a reduction in greenhouse gases — including year-on-year cuts in emissions. by 2010. The Lisr's campaign is supported by Friends of the Earth and WWF Scotland. whose head of policy Dr Richard Dixon is a vociferous critic of the executive’s lack of progress on this issue. Referring to arch culprits such as Finnie. McConnell and transport minister Nicol Stephen. whose funding of Glasgow‘s M74 extension undermines any commitment to sustainable transport methods. Dr Dixon said: ‘Those departments of government which have managed to ignore climate change must be dragged kicking and screaming to the table.‘ Dr Dixon says of le§e Lisr’s campaign: ‘This is a crucial time in the debate about Scottish targets on climate change. It is great that The List is championing the cause of real action on the biggest environmental issue.‘
SLOW PROGRESS ON RECYCLING FOR SCOTLAND
I Scotland is trailing behind on waste recycling. According to Duncan McLaren of Friends of the Earth, ‘Every day Scotland throws out enough waste to fill Murrayfield Stadium.’ This is coupled with the fact that Scots recycle less than 19% of municipal solid waste. Recycling levels vary significantly across Scotland’s councils. Edinburgh is in line with the pathetic national average of 15%. Glasgow trails miserably at 8.22%. Glasgow City Council has supplied 93,000 households with blue bins for newspapers, plastic bottles and cans and 52,000 brown bins for organic waste, but there are only around 80 recycling sites. While there is no plan to expand facilities, the council has said it will respond if there is demand. Make your recycling requests on 0141 287 9700. (AR)
I David Spaven, head of TRANSform Scotland, has blasted BAA Scotland’s blueprint for developing Edinburgh airport. While the proposals, including the creation of a new runway and an expansion of facilities, were hailed by BAA Scotland’s executive director Donal Dowds as ‘the right way forward for Scotland, its economy and its communities’, Spaven (pictured) decried the plans as ‘incompatible with protection of the environment’.
I Scottish renewable energy company Ocean Power Delivery has won the contract to develop the world's first commercial wave energy farm, 5km off the Portuguese coast near P0voa de Varim. The first phase of the 28m project is expected to meet the average electricity demand of more than 1500 Portuguese households.
I List readers concerned about options for managing UK radioactive wastes can participate in a government consultation currently being carried out by the Committee on Radioactive Waste, which runs until 27 June. Friends of the Earth Scotland is campaigning for this waste to be stored securely above ground, at the site at which it was created, ‘where it can be constantly monitored and easily retrieved’. Those who agree should email the consultation via Friends of the Earth’s website (www.foe- scotland.org.uk).
20 May—9 Jun 2005 THE LIST 7