Rural and Environment

Progress made to establish Scotland’s Climate Assembly

September 8, 2020 by Roseanna Cunningham No Comments | Category Uncategorized

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has fundamentally changed every aspect of our lives. How we work, travel and use our land and other natural assets will need to be re-imagined in order to build Scotland’s green recovery and shape our future.

In Scotland we have a particular approach to policy-making, putting people at its heart and consulting, engaging and involving those who live here in decision-making. This collaborative approach is especially important when it comes to tackling climate change. The changes we make as we decarbonise will have a significant impact on people’s daily lives.

The establishment of a citizens’ assembly on climate change is part of our commitment to open government, where citizens contribute to the policies that affect their lives now and will in the future. The assembly will be independent of Parliament and Ministers, it will operate according to principles of transparency and inclusion and it will be representative of those who live in Scotland.

Although preparations for the assembly have – like so much else – been impacted by COVID-19, I am pleased to have submitted a report to the Scottish Parliament today that sets out the arrangements for its operation, and the assembly will shortly be sending invitations for people to apply to become members.

Being a member of Scotland’s Climate Assembly will be both a privilege and a responsibility. People will be asked to learn from experts and each other; to deliberate and to be respectful of others’ views in making recommendations that will impact almost every aspect of our future as we become a net-zero society. I look forward to this invitation receiving a big response from every corner of our society. Scotland’s road to net zero must be one we walk together.

Background
The statutory report Arrangements for the Administration and Operation of Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland: Scotland’s Climate Assembly is available to view on the Scottish Government website.

100 people will make up Scotland’s Climate Assembly’s membership. 20,000 letters of invitation will shortly be sent to randomly selected households across Scotland. Individuals living at those addresses during the registration period can register to become an assembly member. Members will then be selected to ensure Scotland’s Climate Assembly is broadly representative of the Scottish populace.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the first meeting of the Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change will be held remotely in late autumn.

Tags: citizen assembly, climate change, green recovery

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