The Scottish Government has failed the climate while deceiving their citizens.

Today the Scottish Government voted to pass a Bill scrapping key targets to reduce climate change. This is not only a sickening failure of politicians to save our planet, but a conniving and dishonest attempt to save any political integrity which they have left. 

This story has been buried by the US Presidential Election. As the world anxiously waits to learn the result of this less-than-desirable Catch 22 situation, it is understandable that at the time of writing, this story has been underreported in the press. This is no mistake. The Scottish Government have not only failed cataclysmically in one of their main promises, their timing of this news purposely tricked the people they were elected to represent.  

Perhaps I am just angry about the situation; and rightfully so. But as the United States decides its future, I believe something has to change right here in Scotland too.

The new focus laid out today is for Scotland to reach net zero by 2045, instead of reducing greenhouse emissions by 75% by 2030. The legislation was already amended in 2019. In another five years, will the Scottish Government finally face up to the looming reality of climate change and take serious action; or will the net zero goal be on the back burner, constantly postponed, until it is too late? 

The Government couldn't care less about the planet, or their nation. 

Just three years ago, Scotland hosted the 26th COP summit. Then First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon told the world that ‘Scotland is determined to play our full part [in climate negotiations.] But our ability to do that depends on our own climate credibility. We must lead, not by the strength of our rhetoric, but by the power of our example.’ Today, Scotland suffered a catastrophic fall from grace. In three short years, the Government have broken their promises, and shamed the nation’s climate effort on a global level. 

Our planet is dying in front of us. Extreme weather events including heat waves, droughts, and extreme rainstorms are becoming more commonplace. The Earth is getting hotter, and if nothing changes, it will soon become unlivable. In the face of this destruction, all our Government can find in themselves to do is scrap targets while pretending to their citizens that they are doing a good job. The burial of today’s news proves that things will only get worse. The Government couldn't care less about the planet, or their nation. 

The next Scottish elections are not until 2026. Although it seems far away, do not forget the lies and the deceit we have witnessed today. As America decides their fate tonight, remember our beloved planet and the future of the human race.

Published 5 November 2024