The Scottish Government has been urged to host a summit with local authorities to agree actions to tackle climate change.
Scottish Liberal Democrat energy spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP made the call as the latest statistics point to an increase in exhaust emissions.
The official greenhouse gas emissions recorded transport as the biggest polluter for the first time ever this year.
Mr McArthur warned Scottish ministers that they must heed calls to tackle “stubbornly high” transport emissions in the Climate Change Plan and the Climate Change Bill.
The Orkney MSP said it was time the Scottish Government “reached out to deliver Scotland’s climate change targets”.
Mr McArthur raised his concerns in a letter to Humza Yousaf MSP, the Minister for Transport and Islands.
In the letter, he said the Scottish Government needs to work with local authorities on reducing transport emissions, just as it plans to do in areas from district heating to home energy efficiency programmes.
Mr McArthur said: “If Scotland is to come together and deliver its climate change targets then the Scottish Government must get round the table with local authorities to agree a collective approach.
“The Draft Climate Change Plan sets out the need for government to work with local authorities to encourage a move to electric and ultra-low emission vehicles, not least by exploring ideas from low emission zones to financial packages and the development of the rapid charge network.
“As Parliament has scrutinised the government’s plans it has become clear that that ministers have yet to strike an agreement with local authorities and questions surround what financial and practical support will be made available. I am therefore urging the Cabinet Secretary to hold a summit with local authorities to agree a path forward.”
Recommended for you
