WWF-UK: Budget footprint announcement is a step towards greener Scotland
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Budget footprint announcement is a step towards greener Scotland
Thursday 15 November 2007
WWF Scotland has welcomed plans outlined by the Scottish Government which has shown its commitment to a greener Scotland.
In particular, WWF welcomed news that Ecological Footprint will be used as a national indicator of success - a move WWF has campaigned hard for.This means that in future, environmental impact will be used as a yardstick against which many aspects of Scotland's performance will be measured.
However, the government showed much of its transport spending is still at odds with its climate aspirations, by announcing annual investment in Scotland's road network averaging around £1bn. With the proportion of spending on roads - compared with public transport - set to rise, this risks jeopardising Scotland's target of an 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Dr Dan Barlow, Acting Director of WWF Scotland said:
"We are delighted that government is adopting Ecological Footprint as a national target. Footprint is the best measure of calculating whether we are living within the means of the planet, and for the first time we will know whether Scotland is making progress in moving away from our three planet lifestyle.
"The commitment to take climate into account in decision-making is welcome but at odds with increasing funding for motorways and trunk roads in the coming years. For example, the government has renewed its support for the M74 and Aberdeen bypass, rather than taking the chance to abandon these proposals. These road building plans risk locking Scotland into rising emissions from transport and jeopardising the government's bold aspirations to deliver major cuts in climate pollution."
In a blow to the climate-wrecking aviation sector, the Cabinet Secretary announced the government's intention to end investment in the Air Route Development Fund. The government also proposes to support the growth of marine renewable and community renewables with extra investment.
"On renewables the government has again signalled strong support for renewable energy, supporting greater investment in marine energy and microgeneration," continued Dr Barlow.
"We have long argued that the Air Route Development Fund was a climate disaster and we are delighted that the government have cut their support for this."
However, the government showed much of its transport spending is still at odds with its climate aspirations, by announcing annual investment in Scotland's road network averaging around £1bn. With the proportion of spending on roads - compared with public transport - set to rise, this risks jeopardising Scotland's target of an 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Dr Dan Barlow, Acting Director of WWF Scotland said:
"We are delighted that government is adopting Ecological Footprint as a national target. Footprint is the best measure of calculating whether we are living within the means of the planet, and for the first time we will know whether Scotland is making progress in moving away from our three planet lifestyle.
"The commitment to take climate into account in decision-making is welcome but at odds with increasing funding for motorways and trunk roads in the coming years. For example, the government has renewed its support for the M74 and Aberdeen bypass, rather than taking the chance to abandon these proposals. These road building plans risk locking Scotland into rising emissions from transport and jeopardising the government's bold aspirations to deliver major cuts in climate pollution."
In a blow to the climate-wrecking aviation sector, the Cabinet Secretary announced the government's intention to end investment in the Air Route Development Fund. The government also proposes to support the growth of marine renewable and community renewables with extra investment.
"On renewables the government has again signalled strong support for renewable energy, supporting greater investment in marine energy and microgeneration," continued Dr Barlow.
"We have long argued that the Air Route Development Fund was a climate disaster and we are delighted that the government have cut their support for this."
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