First Minister John Swinney has urged world leaders to accelerate climate action as COP30 gets underway in Brazil, warning that the next decade will be “decisive” in tackling the global climate emergency.
The Scottish Government will be represented at the UN Climate Summit by Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin, who will participate in panel sessions and bilateral meetings, share lessons from Scotland’s Climate Justice Fund, and call for urgent global cooperation.
The First Minister said there was now “no time to waste” in protecting the planet, its people, and its natural systems from the escalating effects of climate change.
“The next decade will be decisive in tackling the climate emergency, and COP plays a vital role in that,” said Mr Swinney.
“We have no time to waste in protecting the future of our planet, protecting nature and supporting populations who are increasingly under threat from the destruction caused by the climate crisis.”
He spoke about his recent visit to Zambia and Malawi, where he saw first-hand how climate change is deepening poverty and inequality.
“On my recent visit to Zambia and Malawi, I saw how the effects of climate change are already exacerbating poverty and inequality,” he said.
“We all have a moral responsibility to support countries who have done the least to cause the climate crisis but are feeling its effects most acutely and Scotland will continue to play its part.”
At COP30, Ms Martin will use Scotland’s platform to advocate for the inclusion of regional governments in global decision-making, highlight the success of Scotland’s Climate Justice Fund, and call for greater fairness in climate finance.
“The Scottish Government will be using its platform at COP30 to advocate for, and amplify the voices of, countries in the Global South,” said Mr Swinney.
“We will stand in solidarity with the international community and, in our capacity as Regions4 President and Under2 co-chair, advocate for greater inclusion of governments such as Scotland in international climate processes and policies.”
He said the government would also use the summit to press for a fairer approach to global debt and to share lessons from Scotland’s experience in funding community-led climate adaptation.
“While ensuring Scotland’s voice is heard on the international stage, we are taking action domestically to help ensure we reach our net zero targets,” the First Minister added.
“Our recently published draft Climate Change Plan sets out over 150 actions to reduce emissions up to 2040 across different sectors, and is the first climate plan in the UK to set out the costs and benefits of policies.”
The First Minister said Scotland’s message to the world was clear that moral responsibility and practical action must go hand in hand if the planet is to have a fighting chance.
