The world will miss an important climate target and fail to stop global temperatures rising more than the crucial 2C by the end of the century, according to climate experts, who have analysed pledges by nations to cut carbon emissions ahead of the COP21 United Nations climate talks in Paris later this year.
Average global temperatures have already risen by 0.8C but scientists warn a 2C rise could have a catastrophic impact to our climate hastening melting ice caps, rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
Given developed nations are the biggest perpetrators in terms of carbon emissions, it’s extremely disappointing to see our Prime Minister, who once hugged huskies on an Arctic visit and told us to “vote blue to go green”, hurt the very industry that will help us meet our international obligations.
Climate economist Lord Stern said: “The climate change problem is one that can be solved. We have the technologies, the resources we just need to make the commitment.”
It’s that commitment the Tory government has shown to be lacking, this year cutting onshore wind and solar support.
It’s reported that offshore wind subsidies may face the same outcome.
These decisions are bad for business, bad for energy security and bad news for our bid to tackle climate change.
Just look at Spain, the most notorious EU example, where cuts to wind and solar subsidies after the financial crisis seriously damaged the sector.
The onshore wind sector alone is hugely important to the Scottish economy 70% of planned projects in the UK are here in Scotland.
Already Scotland’s renewable energy projects have displaced 12.3 million tonnes of CO entering the atmosphere.
This is the highest amount ever recorded in Scotland up 119% on 2010 when 5,611 million tonnes were displaced.
We have an opportunity to become a world leader in the renewable energy sector yet we have a Tory government directly impeding it.
Even the capable Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson is going to find it difficult explaining these decisions ahead of a Holyrood election.