Climate Change

Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges we have ever faced.

SWT is calling for climate change legislation in both Scotland and the United Kingdom and the proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill is one of the most important legislations to pass through the Scottish Parliament.

Unless the world radically reduces its annual carbon emissions, dangerous global warming is inevitable. Given Scotland's outstanding potential for renewable energy, we are ideally placed to take a lead on tackling climate change by demonstrating to the rest of the world that it IS possible to move quickly towards a low carbon economy.

Even a small rise in temperature will have an impact on wildlife in Scotland.

Habitats and the "climate space" will change and affect species including skylark, common scoter, black grouse and twinflower.
Development and intensive agriculture will prevent less mobile species from moving to more suitable climate spaces.
Wildlife will risk being marooned in isolated "islands of habitat".

SWT is calling for laws and policies to include:

promoting habitat networks;
decreasing the intensity of rural land use;
ensuring new developments and infrastructure don't further split up wildlife habitats;
encouraging wildlife thrives in our towns and cities;
encouraging extensive re-wilding in marginal and upland areas.

During 2008, SWT will push for a Scotland Climate Change Bill to include:

80% total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050;
3% year-on-year reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;
the inclusion of provisions in the bill which commit the Government to introducing strong policies on climate change adaptation measures for wildlife including a requirement to report on these policies at least once every budget cycle.

SWT is encouraging everyone to write to the Scottish Government to support this. Please write to:

Scottish Government
Climate Change Bill Consultation
1-G North, Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ