Following a visit to SSE Renewables Gordonbush Wind Farm, Ross MSP Maree Todd is encouraging businesses, individuals and local communities to take part in the Scottish Government’s consultation on the draft Onshore Wind Policy Statement.
The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 commits Scotland to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest and also sets two interim targets to reduce emissions by 75 per cent by 2030 and by 90 per cent by 2040.
The draft policy statement outlines the Scottish Government’s proposal to install an additional 8 to 12GW of onshore wind by 2030. Currently, Scotland holds 8.4GW of the UK’s 14.1GW onshore wind.
The MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross said: “I would like to thank SSE Renewables for hosting such an informative visit to their Gordonbush Wind Farm. It was great to hear of SSE’s commitment to supporting local communities and their passion for offering highly-skilled, high-paid work to local young folk.
“Wind farms can bring many benefits to local communities. For one, they can offer a variety of grant programmes that enable communities to respond directly and flexibly to local challenges.
“I am, however, aware that wind farm developments are a contentious issue and as the local MSP, it is my job to represent all my constituents when it comes to concerns over wind farms. This is why I’m encouraging my constituents to engage with the Scottish Government’s consultation on the draft Onshore Wind Policy Statement to have a say in the process to allow government to get the policy right.”
She said that COP26 served a stark reminder of the devastating extent of the climate emergency and added: “This is a moment that future generations will judge. Either we will be judged to have failed in the face of climate catastrophe or, alternatively to have taken decisive action to deliver a clear and credible pathway to net zero.
“I’m heartened by the public’s demand for action, this was well reflected in the climate marches over the two-week conference period and I know from my communication with constituents, that this view is reflected locally too.
“This is why it’s so important for the public to come forward when asked, to consult on critical consultations concerning the environment, such as the draft Onshore Wind Policy Statement.”
The consultation runs until January, 2022, and to respond to the consultation:
• using the Scottish Government’s consultation hub, Citizen Space, visit here;
• and to access and respond to it online here.
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