Scots claim Copenhagen snub

A spokesman for Scottish finance secretary, John Swinney, said at the weekend that following nine months of campaigning Scots were told they would not be part of the main UK delegation to crucial climate talks in Copenhagen.

Mr Swinney was told by letter from the UK’s energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, who was replying to a previous letter written on 15 July.

The spokesman said the letter refused Scottish Ministerial involvement in the UK delegation to the Copenhagen climate change conference.

He added: “This is an extremely disappointing response to an issue we have been pursuing for 9 months, but one way or another Scotland will be represented at the Copenhagen conference.

“The Scottish Parliament has passed world leading climate change legislation, and we have an obligation to make our full contribution to the global challenge we all face, which is why Scotland should be at the centre of this process – not relegated to the fringes by Ed Miliband.”

Other groups also criticised the decision with the director of WWF Scotland and board member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, Dr Richard Dixon, said: “The Copenhagen meeting is the most important discussion of climate change ever, with all the world’s nations supposed to agree new targets.

“Scotland has a strong story to tell, with a tough 2020 climate target and the best Climate Act anywhere in the world.

“At a time when the world desperately needs good examples, it is clearly ridiculous that Scottish Ministers will not be allowed to be part of the official UK delegation.”

“The negotiations for Copenhagen are finely balanced and Scotland’s excellent Climate Change Act could make a difference, but only if people actually get to hear about it.

“It would be a tragedy if the good example Scotland has set failed to make any difference because of petty party political differences.”

Luke Walsh