Nicola Sturgeon has said she believes the world is facing a climate emergency and pledged to speed up efforts to achieve zero carbon emissions.
Following similar moves by the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, this weekend, the Scottish first minister said she was declaring the emergency because the science showed global warming was worsening.
She told the Scottish National party’s spring conference in Edinburgh that if the UK’s expert advisory committee on climate recommended more urgent action to cut CO2 emissions in a report later this week, her government would act.
In Holyrood last month, SNP MSPs voted with other parties against a Scottish Green party motion calling a climate emergency, while the Scottish parliament has been targeted three times this year by Extinction Rebellion protesters.
“I am making this public promise to the young people I met, and to their entire generation,” Sturgeon said. “If that advice says we can go further or go faster, we will do so. Scotland will lead by example.”
In a speech focusing heavily on the SNP’s bid to become Scotland’s main anti-Brexit party in the European elections next month, Sturgeon offered few new details about the timescale for a second independence referendum, focusing instead on measures to build the popular case for independence.
She made several domestic policy announcements including a £150mn scheme to co-fund mortgage deposits for first time buyers with new loans, and a promise to provide £250 grants for poor children going to nursery, with a second grant once they start at primary school.