Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - When the 2009 Climate Change (Scotland) Act was passed, I was the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change – and it is legislation that I am immensely proud of. We believed that Scotland could take a serious role in the world, as an ambassador in the green revolution, and this was a vision that is fast becoming reality.
The renewable energy sector in Scotland employs more than 11,000 people, producing record levels of electricity output, and playing a key role in reducing carbon emissions. In 2013, Scotland met almost 47 per cent of its electricity needs from renewables, and it can only get better.
On a local level, the Royal Tarlair Golf Club in Macduff received £165,000 from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund at the end of last year. The money was given for a carbon reduction project that will see the installation of replacement windows, insulation, draught proofing, LED lighting and water reduction measures to reduce energy use and carbon emissions at the clubhouse.
Not only will the scheme cut costs, but will also be an example to other community groups, giving them the know-how on tackling their carbon footprint.
Another local project to hit the headlines is a potential success story that could have far reaching consequences for the renewables industry.
The Peterhead Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project is to investigate containing more than 85 per cent of CO2 emissions that would otherwise be lost when emitted into the air. It would then be transported by pipeline to the Goldeneye platform in the North Sea for storage in a depleted gas reservoir, about 2.5km below the sea bed. Waste not, want not has been updated for the 21st century with this innovative model.
Jason Anderson, who heads up EU Climate and Energy Policy at the WWF’s European office did also point out what we already know – Scotland has a long way to go in developing its wind, solar and hydro power capabilities, but the difference between us and other parts of the world is that we are committed to change. Scotland can lead as an innovator on renewable energy.
In 2012, the Scottish Government set itself the target of meeting 100 per cent of the country’s electricity demand from renewables, and this commitment has attracted the key players in the industry who can see the country is firm on investing in alternative schemes to mining fossil fuels.
Rather than the UK government’s approach of directing finances towards new nuclear power, I believe that renewables are the way to keep the lights on for future generations.
Scotland has high ambitions and high ideals but these are what we can aspire to. We can be better, and already Scotland is being recognised on a global scale for what it’s doing in the renewables field. If we can give these new kinds of energy production the environment they need to grow and develop, Scotland can again be at the forefront of a newer, greener industrial revolution.
