SCOTLAND’S net-zero minister has accused Westminster parties of “playing politics while the planet burns”.
Màiri McAllan called on Labour and the Tories to “stop wavering” on key net-zero pledges as she highlighted key pledges that the parties have backtracked on.
The move comes after a stark message from the UN secretary general António Guterres that “the era of global boiling has arrived”.
His warning came after scientists confirmed July – which has seen a heatwave and devastating wildfires in parts of the Mediterranean – is on track to become the world’s hottest month on record.
Guterres said: “Leaders must lead. No more hesitancy, no more excuses, no more waiting for others to move first. There is simply no more time for that.”
SNP minister McAllan highlighted that in recent months, Labour have rolled back on plans to borrow £28 billion a year for a green prosperity fund to invest in green jobs and industry.
UK party leader Keir Starmer has also come under fire for a refusal to commit to a £11.6bn climate funding pledge made to the world’s poorest nations at COP26 in Glasgow.
Rishi Sunak meanwhile has backtracked on plans to allow more onshore windfarms in England and dropped the idea of a law banning the opening of new coal mines.
McAllan said: “The climate emergency – which is inextricably linked to our energy security and the cost of living crisis – is intensifying at an alarming rate, and action to prevent catastrophic and irreversible damage to our planet is more urgent than ever before.
“Just two years ago, world leaders attended COP26 in Glasgow, and delivered real progress on key issues like loss and damage, and the importance of capping temperature increases at 1.5C.
“Yet since then, we’ve seen the Tories quickly go backwards on their net-zero commitments – while Labour have ditched flagship plans to spend £28bn on green energy, showing a total disregard for the workforce in the North East.
“If Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer want to be taken seriously when it comes to the climate crisis, they need to quickly step up and stop wavering on key net-zero pledges.”
She added: “The stakes could not be higher, and the economic, social and political consequences of reneging on climate action will be severe.
“It’s clear that now is the time for leadership – not playing politics while the planet burns and jeopardising global progress on climate.”
The Scottish Government has set climate change targets of achieving net zero by 2045 – five years ahead of the UK.
In June, it emerged its target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions had been missed in 2021, with total emissions 49.9% lower than in 1990, against a target of a 51.1% cut.
McAllan said Scotland would continue to drive forward the delivery of climate commitments while there is a “complete lack of political will at Westminster”.
