North-east MP calls for collaboration from governments to ensure green recovery

Scotland’s two governments must work together to deliver a green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has said.

Taking questions from MPs in the House of Commons chamber in his capacity as Scotland Office Minister, Mr Duguid discussed the upcoming COP26 conference.

World leaders are due to gather in Glasgow for the UN Climate Change Conference in November.

Mr Duguid said the UK Government has recently announced a target of 78 per cent less emissions by 2035, in addition to the drive to reach net zero by 2050.

There has been “heavy engagement” ahead of COP26 with industry representatives with a wide range of sectors including pumped hydro storage, wave/tidal energy, carbon capture and storage and hydrogen.

Scottish Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan David Duguid said: “The UK Government is focused on delivering a green economic recovery from the Covid pandemic.

“A 10-point plan has already been launched for what the Prime Minister has described as a green industrial revolution.

“And the UK Government has also gone further with its ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels.

“These UK-wide ambitions are all dependent on the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland working with the UK Government.

“We should all be working together and aiming to use COP26 as a platform to urge countries and industries around the world to join us in delivering net zero.

“A divisive referendum on breaking up Britain would be a huge and unnecessary distraction from the important work of delivering that green recovery.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.