The 2020 Story
In December 2009 a Group initiated by Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of SSE, with support from the Scottish Government was set up to ensure that all sectors of Scotland’s economy and civic society contribute fully to achieving Scotland’s ambitious climate change targets.
The Group, which is convened by Ian Marchant, held their inaugural meeting on 8th December 2009 at the Falkirk Wheel.
At the launch of the 2020 Climate Group Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said:
“There should be no doubt that climate change is the greatest environmental threat we face, so we must act now, and act together, to tackle it.
“And there should be no doubt about the commitment of the Scottish Government, Parliament and our private, public and third sector partners to tackling climate change. This new group brings together a wide range of expertise to examine in detail the actions needed across Scotland to meet our ambitious climate change targets.
“Not only does our climate change legislation have the most ambitious targets in the world, it includes a clear strategy to implement them and today is a key part of that.
“Our comprehensive climate change framework, including the world-leading emission reduction targets of 42 per cent and 80 per cent by 2020 and 2050 respectively, and the carbon assessment of our 2010-11 budget, provides a lead to other governments looking to Scotland as a model of international best practice.
“While prevented from joining the UK delegation at the UN summit - unlike the position of other devolved national and regional governments - our global engagement continues, led in Copenhagen next week by our Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson.
“The Scottish Government is also working to secure our place as the green energy capital of Europe through direct investment and initiatives such as our £10m Saltire Prize for renewable marine energy innovation. And we are well on track to meet our targets of 31 per cent renewable electricity demand by 2011 and 50 per cent by 2020.
“Of course, Scotland is already experiencing climate change and we continue to build our resilience to the potential risks that brings, such as increased flooding. Again we are leading the way as one of very few countries to adopt a strategic approach to adaptation. This is set out in the Climate Change Adaptation Framework that I’m publishing today and whose approach could be adopted by other countries.”
The group’s chair Ian Marchant said:
“Climate change and delivering an economy based on securing sustainable energy sources are twin challenges for Scotland’s environment, economy and people.
“Government alone cannot hope to tackle these challenges. This is where the proposal for the 2020 delivery group has come from; a view that those key people in Scotland who are in a position to contribute or influence action should work together.
“It is fitting that we meet for the first time as the summit in Copenhagen gets under way, as it sends a strong message to that summit, that here in Scotland we are demonstrating leadership and acting positively to deliver the changes that are necessary.
“Today we initiate a process, and anyone who feels they have something to offer in support of practical delivery will be invited to contribute as the group sets out its work programme.”
Commenting on the formation of the group WWF said:
“Climate change is a challenge for all of us. It will affect us all and we are all contributing to the problem. Government, businesses and individuals all need to work together to reduce our emissions so the 2020 Delivery Group is a very welcome development.
“This is a remarkable group of leaders from business, the public sector and civil society. This is exactly what is needed if we are to deliver on Scotland’s target of a 42 per cent reduction in climate emissions by 2020. We will need new thinking and new alliances and the 2020 delivery group will really help to make this happen.”
