Big Climate Conversation to help make Scotland zero-emissions nation

Action to tackle climate change must be a “truly national endeavour”, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Scotland’s First Minister has revealed details of the Big Climate Conversation, which aims to engage with thousands of people and businesses about the steps they can take to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

It comes after it emerged Scotland failed to meet legally binding climate change targets for 2017, with adjusted emissions rising by 3.7% over the year.

The First Minister has already declared the world is facing a “climate emergency” and has pledged Scotland will play its part to help combat rising temperatures.

Speaking ahead of the World Forum on Climate Justice in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon said: “Scotland has already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 47% since 1990.

“We want to go further and end our contribution to climate change completely.

“Becoming a net-zero emissions nation will require changes to virtually every aspect of everyday life.

“We will need to change how we travel, how we keep homes and workplaces warm, and how we design cities and towns.

“We will have to move rapidly from a throwaway culture to a circular economy and will need to develop and apply new technologies, while also planting millions of trees and restoring peatlands.”

She added: “All of this has to be a truly national endeavour. And it has to be done in a way that is fair.

“That’s why the Scottish Government is launching the Big Climate Conversation to encourage communities, businesses and the public sector to talk about what action we can all take.

“Our public engagement programme under the Big Climate Conversation will launch next week.

“There will be consultation events around the country with communities and businesses; we will help organisations to stage their own events, and we will reach many more people through digital communications.

“We hope to reach thousands of people and organisations to hear about their concerns, priorities and ambitions.

“We want to understand what changes Scottish people are willing to make and what they want Government to do to tackle the global climate emergency.”