Mike Pringle MSP backs WWF'S Vote Earth

6.19.00am GMT Wed 25th Nov 2009

Mike Pringle Votes Earth

Mike Pringle MSP today sent a message on the need for a strong, fair global deal ahead of crucial climate talks in Copenhagen in December by signing up to WWF Scotland's Vote Earth campaign.

Vote Earth is part of an international campaign urging the leaders of industrialised nations to commit to urgent action to get the world's greenhouse gas emissions under control.

In June the Scottish Parliament passed the Scottish Climate Change Act and Mike Pringle MSP is now calling on world leaders to follow Scotland's lead when they meet in Copenhagen in December for the UN Climate Summit.

In order to ensure the rise in global temperature remains below 2C it is vital industrialised nations commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.

It is also crucial new and predictable public finance is provided to ensure developing countries can develop cleanly and deal with the impacts of climate change.

Mike Pringle MSP said:

"Despite the disappointing lack of annual reduction targets the Scottish Climate Change Act was a groundbreaking piece of legislation.

"It is now incumbent on all stakeholders to ensure both that the target of an 80% emissions reduction by 2050 is met and that the rest of the world gets behind efforts to tackle climate change.

Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said:

"WWF's Vote Earth campaign is a great way for the general public to send a strong message to world leaders that they care about tackling climate change. The Copenhagen meeting is the most important discussion of climate change ever, with all the world's nations supposed to agree new targets.

"Scotland's climate legislation is a great example at a time when the world desperately needs good examples. This is the most important international meeting on climate change ever and Scotland could really help make a difference in increasingly deadlocked talks."