McArthur calls for summit to address climate change

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has today urged the Scottish Government to host a summit with Scotland’s local authorities to agree actions to tackle climate change.

Pointing to the latest official greenhouse gas emissions statistics which recorded transport as the biggest polluter for the first time ever, Mr McArthur warned Scottish ministers must heed calls to tackle  high transport emissions in the Climate Change Plan and the Climate Change Bill.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesperson said it was time the Scottish Government “reached out to deliver Scotland’s climate change targets”.

Mr McArthur raised his concerns in a letter to Humza Yousaf MSP, the Minister for Transport and Islands. In the letter, he said the Scottish Government needs to work with local authorities on reducing transport emissions, just as it plans to do in areas from district heating to home energy efficiency programmes.

Commenting, Mr McArthur said: “If Scotland is to come together and deliver its climate change targets then the Scottish Government must get round the table with local authorities to agree a collective approach.

“The Draft Climate Change Plan sets out the need for government to work with local authorities to encourage a move to electric and ultra-low emission vehicles, not least by exploring ideas from low emission zones to financial packages and the development of the rapid charge network.

“As parliament has scrutinised the government’s plans it has become clear that that ministers have yet to strike an agreement with local authorities and questions surround what financial and practical support will be made available. I am therefore urging the Cabinet Secretary to hold a summit with local authorities to agree a path forward.”