Swinney's green plans applauded

Published Date: 18 October 2008

ENVIRONMENTALISTS were celebrating last night after John Swinney announced that Scotland would lead the way in tackling greenhouse gas emissions.
He told the SNP conference the Scottish Climate Change Bill would be tougher than expected.The bill would cover all greenhouse gases, he said, not just carbon dioxide, and emissions from aviation and shipping would be included in the targets.Environmental campaigners said that if the finance secretary's plans were reflected in the bill, it would make Scotland the first country to take action against the emissions from planes and ships in this way and a world leader on climate change.Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "These are important steps and I look forward to seeing the Climate Change Bill introduced with these improvements."