'More action' on carbon cuts

Published Date: 28 March 2009

THE Scottish Government has been told more action is needed to reach its targets for reducing carbon emissions.
The demand came despite transport minister Stewart Stevenson announcement that he was bringing forward the target date for 50 per cent reductions from 2030 to 2020. Mr Stevenson made the announcement at an international climate change conference in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.The conference was organised by Holyrood's Transport and Climate Change Committee, but its convener, Green MSP Patrick Harvie, said that the minister needs to go much further.He wants binding annual targets to be brought in immediately as part of the Scottish climate change bill which is currently being put through parliament.He pointed to the work being done by the government of the Maldives Islands, which had a representative at the conference.The Maldives are facing a catastrophe if sea levels rise and its government has introduced immediate carbon emission cuts.