SCOTTISH Labour called for Scotland’s political leaders to be held to account today for environmental promises made in the wake of Cop26.
 
The party unveiled its blueprint for a “zero carbon, green” Scotland as it called for the country’s political leaders to unite and turn rhetoric into action.

Launching Labour’s "Green Labour" campaign, party leader Anas Sarwar outlined its key climate demands in the wake of Cop26 and called for action to make a “jobs-first” transition a reality.

Mr Sarwar said that achieving zero carbon emissions would involve upgrading all homes to be energy efficient, restoring peatlands and widespread tree planting.

He also told businesses that if they want public sector contracts they must have definitive plans to meet carbon reduction targets.

But he said that first and foremost the plans should focus on benefiting “those who are unemployed, underemployed or who are at risk of unemployment as a result of the current economic crisis and the transition.”

Mr Sarwar said: “The climate crisis is the greatest threat facing Scotland and the rest of the planet. 

“Cop26 must be a turning point in our fight against the climate crisis.

“But we need more than rhetoric and warm words from Scotland’s political leaders — we need action.

“Scotland can lead the way in the response to the climate crisis, but only if we turn our rhetoric into reality.

“Scottish Labour will relentlessly hold the Scottish and UK governments to account and do all that we can to push them to go further and faster in confronting climate change.

“We have the chance to chart a new, greener course for Scotland and to deliver the jobs-first transition that we badly need — but only if we unite behind a bold climate recovery plan.”