Commenting on the publication today (Tuesday 18 September) of new data on
Scottish climate emissions [1] Friends of the Earth Scotland's Chief executive, Duncan McLaren, said:

"IfScotland is to play its part in tackling climate change it needs to becutting emissions by at least 3 per cent every year. Sadly emissionsare falling by only half the required amount.

"Thesefigures underline the urgent need for the government's forthcomingclimate bill to be as strong as possible. Any legislation that fails todeliver at least the promised mandatory carbon reductions of 3 per yearwill not be good enough to deliver the cuts now required to preventfurther climate chaos.

The figures reveal that emissions from transport have risen by 9.7% since 1990. McLaren added:

"Ministersdon't have to wait for new legislation to tackle problem areas liketransport where emissions have risen by almost ten percent. Plans toremove Forth bridge tolls and build new roads will undermine Scotland'sability to meet its climate obligations and should therefore bedropped."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Drop in greenhouse gas emissions
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/09/18095902

[2] In June Ministers agreed to bring forward a Scottish Climate Change
Bill. The Bill will:

• set mandatory targets for emission reductions,
• include monitoring arrangements to ensure we are on course to meet those
  targets,
• set out mechanisms to ensure that we achieve and are accountable for our
  long term goals.

Ministers said they will also use the opportunity to bring forward other
compatible legislative measures.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/06/21152519

[3] Friends of the Earth Scotland is looking for a Scottish Climate Bill
that:

• commits Scotland to reduce emissions to safe and equitable levels,
  starting with at least a 3% cut per year;
  
• produces an annual report so the people of Scotland can see the progress
  that they and the government are making towards meeting those targets; and
  
• makes it cheaper and easier for people to save energy at home, install
  micro-renewables, use public transport, reduce waste and purchase locally
  grown food.

[4] The SNP Manifesto committed: "In government we will introduce a Climate
Change Bill with mandatory carbon reduction targets of 3% per annum and also
set a long-term target of cutting emissions by a minimum of 80% by 2050 –
above the UK target of 60%."

http://www.snp.org/policies

[5] Friends of the Earth Scotland is a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland
- a coalition of faith, development, environmental and other organisations
committed to tackling climate change.
http://www.stopclimatechaosscotland.org