Wednesday 19 November 2003

The group is urging the Scottish Executive to commit to a 20 per cent cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, as well as a cut in other greenhouse gas emissions, to tackle the growing threat of climate change and the 'climate chaos' it will bring.

WWF Scotland analysed the Met Office series of monthly temperature records for Scotland, finding that three months of this year so far have been classed as exceptionally warm (2°C warmer than average) and six months have been warmer than the same months in 1997, which, according to the records, was the warmest recorded year in the period back to 1961. 1997 was also identified as the warmest recorded year since 1861 in the separate Met Office Scottish mainland temperature series of records.

Dr Richard Dixon, head of policy for WWF Scotland, said, "The weather is notoriously unpredictable but, despite the cold snap in October, if I were a betting person, I would put money on 2003 turning out to be warmer than 1997. This would make it the warmest year since accurate records began 142 years ago. Climate change is a growing reality, and is the biggest environmental threat facing Scotland. Yet again, Scotland's weather backs up the scientists' predictions."

WWF Scotland is urging the Scottish Executive to ensure that the new European Emissions Trading Scheme is based on the Labour Party's commitment to a 20 per cent cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, rather than the lower 12.5 percent cut in all greenhouse gas emissions, which is being lobbied for by most of the major power companies.

Dr Dixon continued, "With Scotland already experiencing climate change, the Scottish Executive must back the strongest possible action to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, both through the new Emissions Trading Scheme and in the forthcoming revision of the Scottish Climate Change Programme. Failure to do so will leave Scotland helplessly spiralling into climate chaos."

WWF Scotland's analysis of the Met Office records also showed that: April 2003 was the warmest April in the last 42 years; June and July 2003 were the second warmest June and July in the last 42 years; May 2003 was the second wettest May in the last 42 years; August 2003 was the third driest in the last 42 years; and March and October 2003 were the sunniest March and October in the last 42 years.


Background Information
1. The new European Emissions Trading Scheme is intended to cut the cost of EU countries meeting Kyoto Protocol targets. From 2005, EU companies involved in the power, iron, steel, glass, cement, ceramic, pulp and paper industries will need to have 'emission rights' or 'carbon permits' to cover their carbon dioxide emissions each year. Under the new scheme, companies that cut their emissions by more than their targets will be able to sell them on as 'credits' to firms that are unable to meet their targets.

2. Other recent weather information for Scotland includes:

The first three months of this year were the sunniest on record at most weather recording stations on the Scottish mainland.

On 7th / 8th January this year, Aviemore recorded a minimum temperature of -18.6 °C, while Aboyne recorded a maximum temperature of 18.3 °C on the 26th.

In March this year, many weather recording stations broke their existing March sunshine records. On the 17th, the temperature at Altnaharra rose from -9°C to 18°C – the largest recorded diurnal rise in temperature for Scotland in any March since records began.

Between the 15th and the 18th April this year, a heat wave occurred as an anticyclone over Scandinavia returned westward and warm southerly winds blew across Scotland. The temperature reached 26.9 °C at Lochcarron on the 17th, setting a new record April temperature for Scotland and beating the previous highest of 26.7 °C at Dollar in April 1870.

June and July 2003 combined were the warmest since the Scottish temperature series started in 1961.

In July this year, the temperature reached 28 °C somewhere in Scotland on every day of the month, with a peak of 30 °C at Prestwick on the 16th.

From the 5th to the 9th of August this year, a large area of high pressure covered the British Isles or the North Sea. Dry and sunny weather prevailed and the temperature reached or exceeded 29 °C somewhere in Scotland every day. On the 7th the summit of the Cairnwell recorded 25 °C and many weather recording stations observed their highest ever temperature during this spell.

9th August saw the all-Scotland record temperature of 32.9 °C at Greycrook in the Scottish Borders.

In September this year, the temperature fell no lower than 16 °C at many places on the 14th and rose to 25 °C at Tain and Kinloss on the 17th, and 24 °C at Charterhall in the Tweed Valley on the 5th.

On 17th October this year, the temperature at Aboyne ranged between -5 °C and 16 °C. In contrast, the temperature at the summit of Cairngorm never fell below 7 °C.