Our achievements on the Bill
On 24 June 2009, the Scottish Climate Change Bill was passed at the Scottish Parliament as the strongest piece of climate legislation in the industrialised world.
This has global implications , as this bill sets the bar at the international negotiations taking place in December 2009, when future global greenhouse gas emissions reductions will be agreed.
This outcome was a victory for the many thousands of supporters who backed our campaign for a strong bill – our biggest and most successful public campaign to date, and one in which we worked closely with the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition. So here’s a look back over events over the course of the campaign.
29 January 2008
The Scottish Government opens its public consultation on the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill.
15 February 2008
The campaign is launched in Edinburgh with the “climate crime scene” , which is picked up by major Scottish newspapers. In the following weeks volunteers collect thousands of postcards from the public at street stalls across Scotland, and WWF supporters from all over the world email the Government calling for:
- A reduction of greenhouse gases of at least 80% by 2050
- Statutory targets of at least 3% year on year reductions
- Emissions from international aviation and shipping to be included in the reduction target
23 April 2008
The final day of the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Bill is marked when WWF Scotland presents thousands of postcards to the Scottish Government. The Government received over 20,000 responses - the highest response to a public consultation since the smoking in public places ban.
June 2008
The Children’s Climate Change Project is launched by WWF Scotland and Children in Scotland to enable children contribute to the debate about climate change and to have their views heard.
October 2008
A “Month of Action” kicks off the next phase of our campaign to encourage the public to contact their MSPs. Over 8,000 emails or postcards are sent to MSPs in the following months, leaving them with no doubt that their constituents want a strong bill.
November 2008
The campaign goes “on the buses” as we team up with Lothian Buses, Clear Channel and City of Edinburgh Council to communicate our campaign on buses and bus shelters across Edinburgh. Commuters and visitors are thanked for using public transport, while at the same time asking them to contact their MSPs urging them to back a strong Climate Change Bill.
04 December 2008
The draft Climate Change (Scotland) Bill is introduced to Parliament. The Bill sets strong measures to reduce Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, but still needs some toughening up.
January – April 2009
Supporters get more serious as they start visiting their MSPs face to face. An estimated 50 visits are made by Stop Climate Chaos coalition supporters (of which WWF Scotland is a part).
March 2009
During an “evidence session” at the Scottish Parliament, the Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson MSP, announces that the Scottish Government will include emissions from aviation and shipping in the targets of the bill.
28 March 2009
Over 10,000 people in Scotland take part in WWF's Earth Hour, demonstrating massive support for international action on climate change. MSPs give cross-party support to Earth Hour in a debate two days previously.
22 April 2009
The Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Climate Change Rally at the Scottish Parliament is a tremendous success, with over 500 supporters attending. Thirty MSPs attend and the event attracts national media coverage
Early May
WWF Scotland’s campaign for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill is shortlisted in the ‘Campaign of the Year’ category of the Third Force News Awards 2009.
27 April – 6 May 2009
WWF campaigners send almost 2,800 messages to MSPs urging them to attend the Stage One Debate and vote for amendments to strengthen the bill.
6 & 7 May 2009
MSPs gather in the Scottish Parliament for the “Stage One Debate”. Discussions are encouraging covering early action, the use of international credits, emissions from international aviation and shipping, the role of the public sector and emissions generated through our consumption of goods - all campaign priorities for WWF.
26 May 2009
The Bill is successfully amended at “Stage 2” to place a limit on the use of carbon trading, and to include emissions from international aviation and shipping. Other WWF-backed amendments on annual targets prove less successful .
19 – 24 June 2009
During the countdown to the final debate on the bill in Parliament, WWF campaigners send another 6,000 messages to MSPs asking them to attend the debate and vote for specific amendments that will make the bill world-leading
22 June 2009
The Scottish Government changes its stance and tables an amendment calling for a 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Before this the Government was only supporting a 34% reduction. The possibility of a world-leading bill is back on the table.
24 June 2009
Over 100 supporters from WWF and other Stop Climate Chaos coalition member organisations join in the Mass Lobby at the Scottish Parliament, to make a final plea to MSPs to make the right choice when voting for amendments. It’s the largest such lobby in the Parliament’s history.
24 June 2009
At the final debate on the Bill at the Scottish Parliament, MSPs vote for amendments which will make the Scottish Climate Change Act the strongest climate change legislation of any industrialised nation. WWF Scotland and other member organisations of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition celebrate the success of our campaign work over the past three years, which has resulted in legislation that commits Scotland to:
- at least 80% cuts of all greenhouse gases (on 1990 levels) by 2050;
- a 2020 target of at least 42% reduction in greenhouse gases;
- include the full effects of emissions from international aviation and shipping from the start;
- requires ministers to report on consumption-based emissions - i.e. emissions produced anywhere in the world that result from Scotland's consumption of goods and services;
- a strong duty on all public bodies to make a full contribution to tackling climate change and;
- strong energy efficiency measures to tackle fuel poverty and save energy.
What now?
The passing of the Bill marks the beginning of our work to make sure that the legislation is implemented. We will also promote it as a positive example for UK, EU and other industrialised countries, especially in the run up to the global climate change negotiations in Copenhagen this December. To find out how you can get involved, please visit our climate change campaign web pages.
WWF's Dan Barlow at the climate crime scene
Dan Barlow hands over postcards to Richard Lochhead MSP
Children’s Climate Change Project
Volunteers encourage the public to get involved in towns and cities across Scotland
Dan Barlow shakes hands with Iain Coupar, Marketing Director of Lothian Buses
The Spring Rally at Scottish Parliament
Mass Lobby on day of final debate