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June 16, 2020
Could it get any harder?
A tough job just got a lot tougher. The task of navigating our way to a low carbon economy was never going to be straightforward. Compounding the complexity is the challenge of doing it in such a way that would be considered fair and wouldn’t disproportionately and negatively affect the most disadvantaged sections of the community. The Just Transition Commission has had a call out for views which concludes at the end of June. But now this Just Transition has to take place in the context of a post-Covid era. Could it get any harder?
Just Transition Commission wants to hear from you on tackling climate change
Climate change is one of the most important issues facing society today. While the move to a net-zero emissions economy will bring benefits and opportunities for individuals and communities across Scotland, it will also present challenges.
The Just Transition Commission was set up to independently advise the Scottish Government on how to manage a fair transition to net-zero emissions by 2045. The Climate Change Act recently passed by the Scottish Parliament contains some of the most ambitious statutory emission reductions targets in the world. The transition required to meet these targets will involve major changes to the way we live our lives and how we do business.
As part of a nationwide call to action, members of the public and organisations are being encouraged to share their opinions on how Scotland can end its contribution to climate change as fairly and as justly as possible for everyone in society.
The evidence received will help inform the Commission’s full report which is scheduled to be submitted to the Scottish Government in January 2021.
Professor Jim Skea is the Chair of the Just Transition Commission: “Our goal is to ensure the benefits of the transition to net-zero are felt across society and all sectors of the economy. The costs cannot fall disproportionately on those who are least able to manage them or on those who are directly or indirectly affected as the economy shifts and changes.
“Many communities have suffered injustices in the past, for example with the decline of coal mining and we must learn from these mistakes, but we must also ensure we maximise the many social and economic opportunities that the move to net-zero emissions offers.
“We do not have all the answers, no-one does, therefore we need people to help identify the various challenges and opportunities they may be aware of. In order to achieve a just transition, it’s important that we hear from a wide cross-section of society and businesses from all sectors.”
You can submit your evidence to the Just Transition Commission here: https://consult.gov.scot/just-transition-commission/just-transition-commission-call-for-evidence/
The deadline for submissions is 30 June 2020.