Scottish Parliament backs strong Climate Bill

Raising the Bar for Climate Change legislation

With Falkirk campaigners Norman Philp, Corrie Cuthbertson, David Allinson

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie said that she was “extremely pleased that MSPs had voted for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill” and that playing her part in the passage of the Bill had given her great satisfaction.

“As Deputy Convener of the Climate Change committee, I have been involved at every stage, working with the committee and other MSPs, and with the members of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, considering and submitting amendments to make this a world-class piece of legislation.”

Climate Change: call for action across the board

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has called for Climate Change action to be an across the board priority for public bodies.

“We all have a duty towards future generations,” said Cathy. “MSPs have a duty to ensure that Climate Change legislation is strong, and I believe that means ensuring that public bodies have a duty to consider, across the board, the impact of their activities and what they can do to contribute to action on Climate Change.”

Call for Strong Climate Change Bill

Cathy with local campaigner Norman Philp and a protesting penguin

The Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee has called on the Scottish Government to speed up its fight against climate change. The committee’s stage 1 report on the Climate Change Bill has made strong recommendations that action to cut greenhouse gas emissions should be brought forward.

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie, who is Deputy Convener of the Committee, said:

“I have been arguing within the committee for a stronger Bill that includes sustainability and other duties for local authorities and other public bodies. Our aim must be to adapt to climate change in a way that works with nature to benefit biodiversity, the economy and local communities. I am committed to achieving a reduction in carbon emissions of 3% every year between now and 2050. However, the 80% target by 2050 will not be possible if the Scottish Government does not make a start immediately. Early action is more effective action.

“The Scottish Government is under pressure from the committee, and has agreed to bring forward an interim target to cut pollution from 2030 to 2020. However, there is still no figure for the 2020 target and no firm target between now and 2019. Our report insists the government puts firm figures on the 2020 target and delivers significant early action between now and then.

“I believe the Scottish Government must focus its efforts on delivering early results, such as energy efficiency programmes for households to help people cut their fuel bills; improving public transport, transferring more freight to rail and sea, reducing commuter traffic and congestion, and promoting the use of green transport like electric cars. We have to play our part in tackling global warming and the government must set better goals if we are to cut emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.”

Cathy welcomes Asbestos Bill

Cathy with Bill Butler MSP and asbestos campaigners

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has welcomed the passing of the Damages (Asbestos Related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill and paid tribute to the campaigners involved in the securing the change in law.

Public urged to support Bus Regulation

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie is calling for support for a Bill to regulate Bus Services.

Cathy said: “I have dealt with numerous complaints about bus services. We have had some successes, but I am convinced that there would be fewer problems and that they would be dealt with more easily if the buses were properly regulated, and I have called for this in the past.

“I have also called for free bus travel to include all people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, and for free travel to cover users of buses run by community transport organisations,

“So I welcome and support the Bill which is being proposed by my colleague, Charlie Gordon MSP.