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Why this must be the climate election

Today, the Scottish Greens have launched their general election campaign. The key message: the climate emergency must be the most pressing issue in this general election.

Greens have today underlined a simple truth: the next UK Government will preside over half the time we have left to meet the UN’s decade-long deadline to take action to prevent catastrophic climate change. Co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie have highlighted reserved issues which could be vital in securing a Scottish Green New Deal to transform Scotland’s economy and address the urgency of the climate emergency. These include monetary and energy policy and tariffs.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said:

“There has never been a more important general election. MPs elected next month will preside over half the period we have left to address the Climate Emergency, yet all the establishment parties have yet to commit to the urgent action required.

“The loudest and clearest way to demand climate action is to vote Scottish Greens on December 12.”

Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said:

“Our Scottish Green New Deal has already proposed what the Scottish Parliament must be doing now to tackle the climate emergency, but Westminster, too, must step up to the plate.

“A Scottish Green New Deal would be so much easier with the levers over fiscal, economic and monetary policy, air transport, electricity, energy efficiency, registration of land and to transition away from oil and gas, coal, nuclear energy. That’s why we need to push MPs of all parties as hard as we can.”

Claire Miller, Green candidate for Edinburgh East said:

“The Greens are the only party with a real plan for a zero carbon country. A vote for the Greens is a vote for a healthy, equitable and green society with secure jobs in sustainable industries.”

Green candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith Steve Burgess said:

“United Nations scientists are clear – the climate clock is ticking. This election is an opportunity for you to Vote Green and send a clear message that you demand urgent action on the Climate Emergency as well as opposing Brexit.”

With candidates standing in all five of the Edinburgh constituencies, the message from Edinburgh Greens: Vote Green to demand real, meaningful climate action.