Farmers and crofters are asked to engage with Scotland’s fledgling Climate Assembly to ensure food and farming are at the heart of the nation’s climate change response.

The establishment and operation of the Climate Assembly was included in Scotland’s 2019 Climate Change Act.  The Assembly will consider how best to tackle climate change.  Specifically, it will be asked to consider ‘how should Scotland change to tackle the climate emergency in an effective and fair way?’.  It can consider how to minimise or mitigate the effects of climate change and make recommendations on measures proposed to achieve the emissions reduction targets in Scotland.

The Assembly is currently collecting thoughts and ideas on Scotland’s climate change response from all interested individuals at https://scotclimateca.dialogue-app.com/how-should-scotland-change-to-tackle-the-climate-emergency-in-an-effective-and-fair-way

It is scheduled to report to the Scottish Parliament on the outcomes of its deliberations at the end of February 2021.

A stewarding group, established to ensure balance and legitimacy in the establishment, conduct and reporting of the Assembly has been established and includes NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick.

Encouraging farmers and crofters to engage with the Assembly, Mr McCornick said: “I welcome the opportunity to represent farmers and crofters on the steering group of the assembly, but given the important role of agriculture in tackling climate change, I need our members to feed in too.

“The creation of the Climate Assembly is an important plank in Scotland’s Climate Change Act as it encourages every individual to get involved in identifying how the nation should be tackling the climate emergency.  

“Being part of that, through the steering group, is something I am proud to be involved in.

“We have been crystal clear that every sector of Scottish agriculture will have a role to play in ensuring our food and farming industries contribute to tackling the climate emergency as well as guaranteeing sustainable food production and flourishing biodiversity.

“Scotland’s farmers and crofters have already taken significant steps to reduce emissions and, with the right support from Scottish Government, we will ensure the sector continues to deliver for the climate and wider environment.”  

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Contact Bob Carruth on 07788 927675