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NEWS RELEASE
Thursday 21st June 2007
Climate Change Bill:
Welcome for Bill - but concern over transport policy
TRANSform Scotland [1] have today (Thursday 21st)
welcomed the early introduction by the Scottish Executive of the Climate
Change Bill into the Scottish Parliament.
However, TRANSform Scotland have raised concern over the deliverability
of the proposed Scottish climate change targets in the context of the
Executive's threats to key public transport investment, and the continued
programme of new road-building and subsidies for aviation.
Colin Howden, Director of TRANSform Scotland, said:
"It is very welcome that the Executive has committed to introducing
strong legislation to reduce Scottish climate change emissions. We will
play a full part in the consultation on the Bill that the Executive has
now launched.
"Unfortunately, the Executive will have little or no chance of reducing
climate change emissions while government policy continues to promote
more road use and provide subsidies for air travel.
"And if the Executive chooses to carry out its threat to scrap key
public transport projects such as the Edinburgh tram scheme then its credibility
on climate change policy will be seriously damaged.
"We welcome the Executive's acknowledgement that 'new policies' will
be required to reduce emissions. The Executive could usefully start by
abolishing the subsidies for airlines that the last administration introduced.
"The Executive will also need to consider how damaging new road schemes
such as the urban M74 and the Aberdeen western bypass fit into its climate
change strategy."
TRANSform Scotland was represented on the Scottish Executive's
Stakeholder Group for the Scottish Climate Change Programme (SCCP). The
Programme was launched in March 2006.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] TRANSform Scotland
TRANSform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance,
bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities,
national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport
groups.
We can be contacted at Lamb's House, Burgess Street, Leith, Edinburgh,
EH6 6RD. Tel 0131 467 7714; fax 0131 554 8656; email <info@transformscotland.org.uk>;
web <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk>.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
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