Scotland Ahead of the Curve on Climate Change, says Scots MEP

This announcement comes on the back of the Scottish Government announcing the introduction of its challenging Climate Change (Scotland) Bill last Thursday (4th December), which shares key aspects of the Temporary Committee's main recommendations, including also a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

EU leaders are meeting at the end of this week in Brussels to agree a new green energy and climate change package, which will see the introduction of an EU-wide legal framework for encouraging renewables, an updated EU Emissions Trading Scheme, new rules for stimulating carbon capture as well as new rules on state aid on the environment. Such measures will help combat climate change and transform Europe's economy into a high technology, zero carbon market for the future.

MEPs will get the chance to have their say on the whole EU package in a key vote next week in Strasbourg.

Alyn Smith said:

"These recommendations proposed by the European Parliament's Temporary Committee are a welcome step towards creating continuity in tackling climate change across Europe.

"Scotland is already a leader in this field through the introduction of possibly the most progressive and ambitious Climate Change Bill in Europe. I welcome these calls from my parliamentary colleagues that follow Scotland's lead on what is possibly the greatest threat to global stability.

"It's key that we work together in partnership with other countries and utilise our vast renewable energy potential so as to ensure that Scotland remains at the fore front of this green energy revolution and plays its part in tackling climate change effectively."