Email and visit your MSPs to push for a stronger
Scottish Climate Change Bill
The Scottish Government published the Scottish
Climate Change Bill in December 2008. UNISON
Scotland’s Briefing on it is here (pdf).
As part of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition
we are keen to encourage all Members of the Scottish
Parliament to support strengthening the Bill. Jump
here straight to the email form. It is not
only important for Scotland that we pass world leading
legislation – the better we can make this Bill,
the greater influence it might have on other countries.
Hopefully, it might be used as a blueprint by others
as they focus on United Nations talks in Copenhagen
in December 2009 to determine the successor to the
Kyoto Treaty. Climate change is the greatest threat
facing the world's poor, yet it is countries like
our own that are responsible.
Here in Scotland we (5 million people) are responsible
for as much CO2 as 150 million people in Bangladesh.
This Bill is Scotland's opportunity to lead the
way on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to
make a huge difference to the millions of people
globally whose lives and livelihoods are already
being impacted by climate change.
UNISON’s four key 'asks' are that the Bill:
- reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least
80% by 2050.
- sets statutory targets of at least 3% year on
year emission reductions.
- includes emissions from international aviation
and shipping in the reduction targets.
- sets strong targets for the public sector to
lead by example, with negotiated green workplace
agreements.
Please email your own MSPs, but, if you can,
please also set up a visit to one or more of them,
especially if they are on the Transport, Infrastructure
and Climate Change Committee, as it will be scrutinising
the Bill in the coming weeks.
Find out who your constituency and regional MSPs
are by reading How Do I Find My MSPs
at the top right of this page and click
here to send an email.
Here are four ways to push for the UNISON four
key asks. Branches are asked to spread the word
to ask members to lobby MSPs and to support the
Climate
Change Rally at the Scottish Parliament on Wed 22
April.
1. Make sure that, as a minimum please, you contact
your own MSPs asking them to support UNISON Scotland
and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland’s calls to strengthen
the Bill. You can email them easily by clicking
here.
2. Visit your MSPs face to face to raise your concerns.
This is one of the most effective ways to influence
them.
For a Briefing Pack on Visiting MSPs, click here
(pdf). SCCS has also organised free meetings
around Scotland to provide information on the Bill
and on visiting MSPs. Details are
here.
3. Is one of your MSPs on the Transport, Infrastructure
and Climate Change Committee? If so, please try
to visit them, but as a minimum, do email or
write to them. If not, please ask your MSPs to contact
Committee members from their own party to pass on
your comments. The members of the Committee are:
(link to constituency and Edinburgh contact details
on the Scottish Parliament website by clicking on
their names)
Constituency MSPs
Clydebank and Milngavie Des
McNulty MSP
Glasgow Cathcart Charlie
Gordon MSP
Falkirk East Cathy
Peattie MSP
Regional MSPs
Glasgow Patrick
Harvie MSP
Highlands and Islands Rob
Gibson MSP
Lothians Shirley-Anne
Somerville MSP
Northeast Scotland Alex
Johnstone MSP and Alison
McInnes MSP
4. Put
the Climate Change Rally date in your diary and
check for updates on how you can take part and be
involved. Wed 22 April. 11am – 2pm at the Scottish
Parliament.
Complete this form to let
your MSP know your views and click 'submit' at the
bottom
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