Doha climate talks end: Scotland must show leadership

  • 08 Dec 2012
  • General News, International

A lack of collective leadership and ambition marked the end of UN climate change talks in Doha, said Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) today.

The coalition expressed frustration with world leaders for failing to take the steps needed to prevent dangerous climate change and provide hope for the millions of people around the world who suffer and will continue to suffer from climate-related impacts.

Responding to the conclusion of the talks in Doha, Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said:

“The outcome of these talks emphasises the importance of individual countries taking action to cut their emissions.

“We praise Scotland’s lead in passing the world’s best climate change legislation and Scottish Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse’s efforts to promote it. However fellow Holyrood Ministers must play their part in moving Scotland to a low carbon economy. The international standing of Scotland’s Climate Act  depends on the Government delivering on its targets; that requires a strong climate action plan in the new year.

“During the conference in Doha, Paul Wheelhouse made a commitment to host a 2013 conference on climate justice in Scotland.  For this conference to be meaningful it must be set against a clear plan that will  increase cuts in emissions from our roads and homes and ensure, having missed our first annual target, no future targets are missed.   We still have a long way to go before we can say we are on track to fulfil the promise set down in our world leading legislation.”