The Tories are failing Scotland on its journey to net zero.
The SNP has said the people of Scotland face a tale of two governments in the country’s just transition away from fossil fuels.
During a Scottish Parliament debate today Just Transition Minister Richard Lochhead (pictured) announced that the Scottish Government’s Green Jobs Fund has created and safeguarded 750 green jobs through £10.7m of funding since its launch.
In stark contrast the UK Tory government continues to fail the people of Scotland by not investing in green jobs in Scotland, leaving vital projects such as carbon capture on the side-lines – putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Research released today by Scottish Enterprise shows that the Scottish Cluster would make a ‘significant contribution’ to Scottish GDP and could store between 10 and 22 million tonnes of CO2 annually in Scotland by 2045.
Commenting SNP MSP Jackie Dunbar said:
“It is fantastic news that the SNP Scottish Government’s plans for a Just Transition for Scotland’s oil and gas sector is paying off, we must ensure that the skills and expertise in the sector are brought with us on our journey to net zero.
“However, time and time again the Tories continue to fail the people of Scotland and nothing demonstrates that more than their decision to not back carbon capture in the North East, which would have secured thousands of green jobs.
“The Scottish Cluster is absolutely vital for a just transition to net zero.
“The Climate Change Committee describes Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage as a ‘necessity, not an option’ to achieve net zero emissions.
“The UK Tory government’s decision not to back the Acorn Project is illogical, politically driven and must be reversed without delay or it will significantly compromise our ability to reduce emissions not just in Scotland but across the UK.
“Scotland continues to lead the way in the UK on our journey to net zero, but we do so with one hand tied behind our backs as the UK Tory government holds back innovative, green sectors in Scotland.
“That is why we cannot trust the Tories with Scotland’s future and why we must be able to choose a better future as an independent country.”
