New commission will bolster Scotland’s climate change resilience – minister
The Just Transition Commission will put communities impacted by flooding and wildfires at ‘the heart’ of its work, a government minister pledged.
A group of experts are being brought together to consider how to bolster Scotland’s “resilience” to the impacts of climate change – with a pledge that communities most at risk will be “at the heart” of its work.
Business minister Tom Arthur made the commitment as the Scottish Government announced a new Just Transition Commission is being set up to focus on the issue.
And those who have suffered the impacts of both flooding and wildfires will “be at the heart of how we build resilience” Mr Arthur said.
A total of 15 experts, from a range of areas including public health, the environment, economics and community engagement, will be involved in the commission – which will be chaired jointly by Dave Reay, emeritus professor of carbon management and education at the University of Edinburgh and Satwat Rehman, the chief executive, One Parent Families Scotland.
Mr Arthur said the two previous commissions set up had provided “invaluable advice” that helped shape policy following the closure of the oil refinery at Grangemouth and with the development of indicators for the Government’s climate change plan.
Looking ahead to the new commission’s work, the minister said: “Communities hit hardest by climate change are often the ones least equipped to deal with its effects.
“This commission will make sure that the people facing the greatest risks are at the heart of how we build resilience.”
He added: “Solutions to adapting to and tackling climate change must be proportionate, appropriate and effective as we work together across all sectors of society to build a greener and fairer economy.”
Commission co-chair Professor Reay said that climate change “is the biggest risk multiplier for inequality this century”.
He stated: “Our role as a commission is to show how, with a bold and innovative approach, we can still succeed in reducing our emissions and adapting to climate impacts in a way that builds a Scotland that is truly resilient in terms of our society, our economy, and the infrastructure we all rely on.”
Fellow co-chair Ms Rehman said: “Since 2019 the Just Transition Commission has worked hard to put a strong focus on how different communities are experiencing Scotland’s climate transition, and how we can do better.
“We need to address existing inequalities and proactively tackle the risk of new forms of injustice being created as our climate and our economy are reshaped.
“We will build on those insights and keep pushing our government to act with the urgency this moment requires.”
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks welcomed the new body, saying: “The need for a just transition to a safer-climate future for Scotland’s workers, communities, and consumers has never been more urgent.
“Recent extreme weather events have brought into sharp focus the devastating impacts that climate change will mean for people and nature.
“Whether it is workers and communities currently dependent on polluting oil and gas, households wanting to make their homes more energy efficient, or farmers wishing to adopt more climate-friendly ways of farming, it’s vital that governments step in and step up to support them though the transition. ”
He added: “Scotland led the world in creating the first Just Transition Commission, so we warmly welcome news that the Commission will continue its important work. However, it’s critical that Ministers follow the Commission’s recommendations to deliver a fair transition for workers, communities, and consumers.”