THE SCOTTISH Greens will focus on local decisions that can impact global climate action as the party unveils its manifesto for next month’s councils election.
The party, co-led by Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie, will point to the Greens’ impact in government with the SNP following last year’s Holyrood election as it highlights climate and social justice policies brought forward.
The Scottish Greens’ manifesto, which will be launched today, will commit to focus local authorities on the priorities the Scottish Greens have brought in government – with an aim at bringing climate and social justice to planning decisions and local services if the party’s candidates secure office in next month’s election.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Ms Slater said: “We are working for Scotland in government, tackling the climate emergency and the cost of living through things like free bus travel for young people and doubling the Scottish Child Payment.
READ MORE: Lorna Slater criticised for comparing GRA critics to 'racists'
“Now, with record investment in nature restoration, recycling and active travel, and the biggest teacher recruitment drive in 15 years, we need more councillors to deliver this work in our communities.”
The Greens’ co-leader also said that voters will be asked to “think global and act local” at the ballot box next month.
It comes as a leading Scottish climate charity has warned the May 5 local elections will be “significant” in averting climate breakdown.
Friends of the Earth Scotland is urging political parties to back a string of environmental policies to help to tackle the issue.
The activists said that powers held at local government level make councils pivotal when it comes to tackling and building on the legacy of COP26 – the UN climate conference held in Glasgow last year.
Policies such as setting up publicly owned bus companies are being encouraged since transport makes up a third of carbon emissions in Scotland, according to the group.
Friends of the Earth Scotland said local authorities must play their part in reducing the carbon impact of household waste amid estimates that Scotland burns almost as much of its household waste as it sends to landfill.
The environmental organisation said Scotland has one of the poorest recycling rates in the UK, falling to 42% between 2019 and 2020.
Mary Church, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “These elections are being contested against the backdrop of a climate and nature emergency.
“Many of the powers to drive action on the climate crisis sit with local councils, which is why this vote matters so much.
“Councillors must put people and the planet at the head of all the decisions they make.
“This means making it easier and more affordable to take public transport by running services in the interest of passengers rather than shareholders, helping people to reduce and recycle their waste, and planning for the vital phase-out of incineration.”
She encouraged voters to talk to their local candidates to build pressure for climate action.
She added: “Over the coming weeks, people can get in touch with candidates to hear what they have to say on these climate-critical issues and build pressure for ambition and urgency at the local level during the next five years.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel