johnfitzgerald
Written 25 posts
Building environmental diplomacy on a Chief Scientific Advisor’s research exchange
21st November 2019
By Professor Andrew Millar, Chief Scientific Advisor, Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture From the salt pans of the Atacama to a slice of the Antarctic, Chile stretches as far around the Earth’s latitude as any other country. Its striking diversity of life was what interested the biologists in our delegation from the University of Edinburgh,…
In the news: Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme
12th November 2019
You may have seen in the news today that the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform committee is taking evidence on Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “We continue to make progress with plans to implement our ambitious Deposit Return Scheme as part of our response to the global climate emergency. “A…
Supporting communities on our journey to net-zero
11th November 2019
Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham Two weeks ago, our new Climate Change Bill received Royal Assent. We now have, in law, by far the most stringent climate legislation of any country in the world. Our journey to net-zero emissions will require different and more difficult choices than has been the case to date and it…
In the news: global climate strikes
20th September 2019
You may have seen in the news today that a day of action is taking place across the world to raise awareness of the global climate emergency. Scotland is a world leader in tackling climate change. We have already almost halved greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 while growing the economy, increasing employment and productivity. Now…
What are ‘heat networks’?
3rd September 2019
Every day more than 800 heat networks are supplying warmth and hot water to over 23,000 households in Scotland. This innovative and environmentally friendly way of supplying heat involves a distribution system of insulated pipes that carry hot water or steam from a central source and deliver it to homes and businesses. Networks can vary…
Listening to and acting on the scientific evidence
1st May 2019
By Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham The Scottish Government has declared a climate emergency. In recent weeks, the next generation has expressed, in growing numbers and with eloquence, sincerity and passion, their heartfelt concern for the planet they will inherit. Just last week, teenage activist Greta Thunberg accused the UK Government of not listening to…
This week: 12/04/19
12th April 2019
LFASS payments Hill farmers and crofters operating in some of our most remote and marginalised areas will benefit from the commencement of LFASS payments worth more than £24 million. Around 11,000 eligible farmers and crofters will receive payment in coming weeks, with many having already taken the opportunity to receive up to 90% of their…
Informing our climate change adaptation plans
19th March 2019
By Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham You may well have seen in the news that severe flooding in the south of Malawi – followed by the arrival of Cyclone Idai, which has also caused devastation across Mozambique and Zimbabwe – has affected over a million people, sadly resulting in loss of life and many tens…
In the news: climate change strikes
15th March 2019
You may have seen in the news today that young people from around the world are taking part in climate change strikes to raise awareness of the threat of climate change, and urge world leaders to take action. Later this month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will meet with a group of young people from across…
In the news: Rest of UK consults on DRS
19th February 2019
You may have seen in the news that a consultation has been launched on proposals for a Deposit Return Scheme across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scottish Government has already consultated on a Deposit Return scheme. The consultation closed closed in September and the analysis is due imminently. A Scottish Government Spokesperson said: “We…