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Scotland joins ambitious multi-government partnership.

Scotland has signed up to an international partnership of Governments committed to ambitious action to tackle climate change, Climate Change Minister Aileen McLeod announced yesterday.

Dr McLeod, who is attending the World Summit: Climate and Territories event in Lyon, has signed the Under 2 MoU, which brings together state, regional and devolved governments willing to commit to either reducing their greenhouse gas emissions 80-95 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050 or achieving a per capita emissions target of less than 2 metric tons by 2050.

This agreement means Scotland joins an ambitious group spanning four continents and eight countries with a total population of approximately 109 million residents and a collective GDP over $4.5 trillion.

Dr McLeod said:

“Scotland is on track to deliver our world-leading target ahead of schedule with our progress recognised by our independent advisers at the Committee on Climate Change just this week.

“As we continue to work to tackle climate change we want to learn from other Governments and share our journey with them and with others around the world. That is why the Scottish Government is pleased to join the Under 2 MoU group – a forward thinking and influential group of Governments taking and advocating real changes to reduce emissions.

“Of course in Scotland, like others in the group, we are ambitious in our efforts to reduce emissions and I am encouraging those who are here in Lyon to follow in our footsteps and commit to reductions that will motivate and drive progress.

“In the run up to a new global climate treaty being negotiated in Paris in December, Scotland can show the way and I will continue to press the international community to follow our example in striving for the highest global ambition to tackle climate change.”