Tag: Friends of the Earth Scotland

Scotland’s demands for energy transition linked to social and environmental harm, new report reveals

Campaigners have called on the Scottish Government to develop a strategy to limit the demand for materials required in the transition away from fossil fuels.

This comes as a new report is released today (31 May) which highlights the widespread human rights abuses and environmental destruction being caused by mining for the minerals that are being used in the energy transition in Scotland.

The report ‘Unearthing Injustice’, commissioned by Friends of the Earth Scotland, looks at the harm being caused by lithium mining, which is used in batteries in electric vehicles, and steel, which is needed for wind turbines. The demand for these materials is going to increase significantly with the growing energy transition.

The risk that serious and extensive harm will be done through material extraction is currently being ignored by Scottish policy makers. This lack of concern about material extraction also jeopardises Scotland’s ability to meet its climate commitments. Uncertain supply of materials needed to build the energy infrastructure means that there is a risk that Scotland’s renewable energy system cannot be delivered as required in Scottish Government plans.

The report found:
– The social and environmental impacts of mining of transition minerals are extensive, from human rights abuses and unsafe labour conditions to carbon intensive extraction techniques, water pollution and biodiversity loss
– Demand for lithium is expected to increase by between 13 and 50 times from 2020 to 2040
– There could be lithium shortages as soon as 2025, with only 1% of lithium recycled currently
– In Scotland, 82% of lithium consumption is for electric vehicle batteries
– There is 1 million tonnes of steel in Scotland’s current offshore wind developments – this will increase to 14 million tonnes by 2050
– Steel production generates 7% of global carbon emissions
– The only way to limit the impact of these materials to sustainable levels is to minimise the need for them

Reducing the demand for lithium and steel can be achieved through measures like changing transport systems so we need fewer cars, and improving reuse and recycling of materials so they can be used more than once. If Scotland’s fossil fuel cars are replaced with more buses, lithium requirements could be reduced by 32% compared with like for like replacement.

The Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan includes plans for decarbonising Scotland’s transport network but fails to consider where the lithium needed to do this will come from.

Mining is associated with conflict because exploitation of mineral resources impacts upon nearby communities. It is an extremely energy intensive process and generates large amounts of toxic waste. Mining companies are failing to meet their minimum responsibilities to protect human life and the environment, leading to extensive and serious impacts globally.

The report found that lithium used in Scottish products is most likely to come from Chile and Australia, where Indigenous communities have come into conflict with mining companies. Steel used in Scottish wind turbines is likely to include significant amounts of iron ore from Brazil, where there have been two major tailing dam disasters in the last decade. A 2019 disaster in Minas Gerais killed at least 244 people.

Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Transitioning away from fossil fuels is vital for a livable planet, but we must not create another crisis in doing so.

“Materials like lithium and steel are essential for renewables and electric vehicles, but we can’t ignore the serious harm being caused by their extraction.

“We want to see a Scotland which takes no more resources than it needs and, when resources are taken, it’s done in a way which isn’t harming communities or nature anywhere in the world.

“The overall demand for materials must be reduced by moving Scotland to a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled rather than being thrown away after one use, and by focusing on public services rather than private ones.

“We simply cannot replace all our current petrol and diesel cars with electric cars like for like – we need better public transport, so we don’t need as many cars overall. Scotland could take advantage of the large supply of scrap steel available from within our borders and our low carbon electricity grid to produce some of the greenest steel in the world.

“The Scottish Government urgently needs to create a resource justice strategy to make sure Scotland’s material use is fair and sustainable as soon as possible.”

Andy Whitmore, co-chair of London Mining Network, said: “From the deserts of the Atacama to coke ovens in Nova Scotia, our research exposes the human rights and environmental concerns that lie behind the supply chains for minerals associated with the energy transition.

“As governments focus on perceived scarcity there is not enough attention being paid to addressing those abuses, which a commitment to globally fair transition should entail. Proper supply chain due diligence would protect the environment, the rights of workers and of impacted communities, including free, prior and informed consent for Indigenous peoples.”

Jake Simms, co-author of the report, said: “Our research demonstrates the urgent need for a resource justice strategy that delivers justice to workers and communities globally impacted by mineral extraction, processing and manufacturing.

“A resource justice strategy must both drive supply chain justice and minimise mineral demand. Delivering supply chain justice means establishing a publicly owned energy company, enforcing strict due diligence standards and a reparative trade policy that ensures communities impacted by extraction are fairly compensated.”

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Rosebank: Scottish Government fails to oppose controversial project as Equinor lobbies for more drilling

Climate campaigners have challenged the Scottish Government to speak out against the controversial Rosebank oil field as they revealed details of the lobbying operation by the Norwegian oil giant Equinor who are behind the project.

New data compiled by Friends of the Earth Scotland show that from the 2021 election until end of 2022,  Equinor has met 13 times with MSPs including five times with Scottish Government Ministers.[1] The lobbying register also shows that oil lobby group Offshore Energies UK, who represent Equinor, met with members of the Scottish Parliament at least 36 times over the last two years.

With a UK Government decision on the massive Rosebank oil field drawing closer, Humza Yousaf once again refused to oppose the project when questioned by journalists at the All Energy Conference in Glasgow yesterday. Equinor also faced protests in Norway, Aberdeen and London to coincide with its AGM.

Prior to announcing its formal application to develop the Rosebank field in August 2022 Equinor pursued meetings with 8 MSPs in the North East and Shetland to convince MSPs to back the project, the data shows.

Oil extraction from Rosebank was also discussed at the 2022 Cross Party Group on Oil and Gas, chaired by oil lobby group Offshore Energies UK, and attended by six MSPs. The group lists amongst its aims: “to encourage greater recognition of the importance of the oil and gas industry to Scotland”. [2]

The Scottish Government has repeatedly failed to officially state their opposition to Equinor’s plans to develop the 500 million barrels of oil in Rosebank, despite Nicola Sturgeon speaking out against the much smaller Cambo oil field in 2021. None of the MSPs lobbied have called for the project to be stopped or signed the motion of opposition lodged by Monica Lennon MSP. [3]

Equinor is 67% owned by the Norwegian state and posted £9.5billion pre-tax profits for first 3 months of 2023, in addition to the £62billion in profits before tax for 2022. Despite their claims to be a ‘broad energy company’ more than 99 percent of Equinor’s energy production comes from fossil fuels.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s campaigner Freya Aitchison said: “This research highlights the insidious power that Equinor and other fossil fuel companies have over decision making processes in Scotland.

“The scale and reach of the Equinor lobbying operation designed to influence the Scottish Government should be extremely alarming to anyone who takes the climate crisis seriously.

“For decades, the fossil fuel industry has denied and delayed the need for real climate action, and it is clear that it has significant means to continue doing so. Companies like Equinor have too much vested interest in continuing business as usual and cannot be trusted to play a meaningful part in a transition away from fossil fuels.

“99% of Equinor’s output is fossil fuels and the company is planning for the expansion of oil and gas drilling across the world, with the Rosebank project as well as others in Canada, Argentina and Norway. We know that in order to stay within agreed climate limits we can have no new investments in fossil fuel infrastructure, yet Equinor is deliberately ignoring the science and trying to persuade politicians to let it continue profiting from new extraction.

“There can be no place for the fossil fuel industry in decision-making around climate change – just as tobacco companies were banned from public health decision-making spaces, fossil fuel companies such as Equinor need to be denied access to power and influence in order for real change to happen.”

“To avoid catastrophic climate breakdown, and do our fair share globally, we must phase out oil and gas in this decade. First Minister Humza Yousaf has the chance to chart a new path away from fossil fuels without the industry trying to call the shots. If his Government is serious about tackling the climate crisis and delivering a just transition, it must cut ties with the fossil fuel industry and ban them from lobbying.”

Equinor’s influence peddling is aided by the revolving door – whereby politicians and officials jump from public office into lucrative industry lobbying jobs – or vice versa. Equinor’s Vice President Political and Public Affairs Global, David Cairns, was formerly the British Ambassador to Sweden and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Director for the Nordic Baltic Region. [4]

Cairns has had at least 8 lobby meetings with MSPs in 2022 and met with Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes, during COP26 in November 2021. Every single meeting Cairns has had on behalf of Equinor gives the same description of purpose in the Lobbying Register – demonstrating the limitations of lobbying transparency rules. The meetings discussed Equinor’s “broad energy portfolio of oil & gas, offshore wind and low carbon activities” and “Future opportunities for engagement with MSPs in the Scottish Parliament”.

Scottish Government fails to deliver on key recommendations of incineration review

Environmental campaigners have criticised the Scottish Government’s failure to commit to banning the incineration of plastics by 2030, as recommended by the independent review it commissioned.

Last Friday (5 May), the Scottish Government published its response to the second and final part of its independent review on the role of incineration in dealing with waste in Scotland.

In June 2022, the Scottish Government banned new incinerators following the review’s recommendation, and this latest announcement aims to reduce carbon emissions from existing plants – but campaigners say it falls short.

Rather than phasing out existing incinerators, the Scottish Government is supporting the development of expensive heat networks for them. Experts from the Scottish Government’s own advisory body have shown that the carbon emissions from heat generated from incinerators are higher even than gas boilers, so such measures are likely to increase, rather than decrease carbon emissions.

While the Scottish Government has indicated that it supports a ban on burning plastics by 2030 in principle, it has failed to commit to doing so or set out a credible action plan to deliver it.

Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “The failure of the Scottish Government to commit to the main recommendations of its own review is a missed opportunity to phase out existing incinerators and end the harmful practice of burning plastics as soon as possible.

“Plastics are fossil fuels, so burning them is directly contributing to climate breakdown. The independent review showed that incinerators are locking Scotland into a single use system – relying on market forces and promises of future policy changes is not enough to change this. We must take urgent action at every part of the supply chain if we are to stop mountains of non-recyclable plastics being thrown away and burnt.

“The Scottish Government response admitted that plastics often contain toxic chemicals, but the failure today to commit to ending a system which perpetuates their production means it is now more likely that these plastics will continue to harm people and the environment for far longer than they should.

“Instead of committing to a plan to phase out incinerators the Scottish Government has indicated support for the expansion of high-carbon incinerator linked heat networks. Its trust in carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions from incinerators is misplaced.

“Even if cost and technology barriers can be overcome, carbon capture will come too late to be effective for Scotland’s incinerators, which are some of the largest sources of carbon emissions in Scotland right now.”

No Time to Lose: Holyrood must ‘bite the bullet’ on oil and gas phase out

CAMPAIGNERS CALL FOR FULLY RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM BY 2030

Climate campaigners are calling on the Scottish Government to bite the bullet and commit to a fully renewable energy system by 2030 as the public consultation on its Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan closes tomorrow (Tuesday 9th May).

Campaigners highlighted conflicting visions within the document and the over-reliance on carbon capture and hydrogen to meet the Government’s 2030 vision, despite previously admitting this would not be possible. 

Campaigners said that with critical 2030 climate targets looming, it is essential that the final version of the energy plan sets out a comprehensive strategy for a managed and just phase out of oil and gas, moving to a fully renewable energy system that is run for the benefit of people and the planet. 

Whilst campaigning to be First Minister Humza Yousaf pledged to take a 10% equity share in future offshore wind leasing round and set up a publicly owned energy generation company. Neither of these options to create an energy system that delivers greater benefits to the public are considered in this document.

Given the abject failure of market forces to respond to the climate crisis, Friends of the Earth Scotland believes that public ownership is key to driving the transformation of the energy system.

The draft version of the ESJTP was also criticised for compiling existing policies and strategies, failing to fill in the gaps or address lack of coherence between these. 

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns Mary Church said: “The final destination of this Strategy is bold but there is no coherent plan for how we will get there.

“If Scotland is to stop missing climate targets, it needs to get off fossil fuels and deliver the wide-ranging transformation needed in public transport, home insulation and renewable generation that can help slash climate pollution and tackle the cost of living crisis. 

“There is no time to lose. The Scottish Government must bite the bullet and set a clear direction of travel and how we are going to get there. As part of that we need a clear end date for oil and gas within this decade and a detailed plan on how affected workers and communities will be supported through the transition.

“Ministers must stop clinging to the dangerous illusion that carbon capture can deliver the urgent step change needed in Scotland’s climate efforts, and focus on delivering a fully renewable energy system by 2030.

“Profit driven energy bosses have long failed to deliver an energy system that works for households or creates enough decent green jobs in Scotland.

“Humza Yousaf must build on his promise to take stakes in future offshore wind projects and make sure that a public energy company is set up swiftly to share the benefits of our energy resources more fairly and drive the just transition.”

The final version of the Strategy should: 

        • Set a clear date and plan for the end of oil and gas use within this decade
        • Reject new fossil fuel infrastructure and over-reliance on Carbon Capture 
        • Clarify that the 2030 decarbonisation target will be met fully through renewables
        • Detailed green jobs creation plan and clear pathways for oil workers to switch sector  
        • Centre public ownership with public good objectives to drive the just transition
        • Reduce overall energy demand through public transport and home insulation
        • Ensure fair consumption of minerals critical to the energy transition

One month until Glasgow breathes clean air

As Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone is due to start in a month’s time (1 June), campaigners and air pollution experts are highlighting how the city’s residents can look forward to breathing less toxic air.

The Low Emission Zone will restrict the most polluting vehicles, with drivers receiving a fine – similar to a parking or speeding fine – if a non-compliant vehicle enters the zone.

Glasgow has been slowly restricting more and more of the most polluting buses over the last few years, and this has already brought some big improvements to air quality in the city. Restrictions on cars and other vehicle types will begin on 1 June, which will bring the pollution levels down further.

Air pollution cuts short over 2,500 lives in Scotland each year and puts the population at risk of serious health conditions, like asthma, heart attacks, and strokes. It’s especially harmful to children, the elderly, and people living in poverty or made vulnerable from other health conditions.

Glasgow has higher rates of hospitalisation than the rest of the country for both children and adults with asthma, and people with COPD. Meanwhile it has the lowest level of car ownership, with only 31% of lower-income households having a car.

Gavin Thomson, Transport Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Glasgow has been breathing toxic, illegal fumes for years and that’s finally coming to an end. From June 1st, anyone in Glasgow’s city centre can breathe easier due to the Low Emission Zone which restricts the most polluting vehicles.

“We know that LEZs work because they’re in place across Europe, and Glasgow’s zone has already had a positive impact. We know the LEZ has a lot of support, as people are worried about the impact of air pollution on their health. And we also know that the zone will help the city address climate change, as we move to more sustainable modes of travel.

“With the Avenues project, which will introduce bike lanes, benches and street trees across the city, the changes to George Square and now the Low Emission Zone, Glasgow is changing. The city is becoming greener and healthier, and leading the way for Scotland’s cities.”

Gareth Brown, Chair of Healthy Air Scotland and Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said: “Air pollution can cause new lung conditions like lung cancer and worsening existing ones. With 1 in 5 Scots developing a lung condition like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD – in their lifetime, for them, it can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks and exacerbations.

“Communities want bold action on toxic air and for governments to help them protect their health and their families. No one wants to see their loved one fight for breath just because the air they breathe is toxic.

“We need to make tackling air pollution a national priority. Low Emission Zones are just the start. We all need to think about how we live, how we work and how we travel. We need to incentivise the behavioural change needed to create a world of clean air and healthy lungs.”

Leanne McGuire, chairperson of Glasgow City Parents Group, said: “As parents, we are always concerned about any risks to our children’s health, and that includes air pollution.

“The introduction of the Low Emission Zones in Glasgow means that whether our children are walking or cycling to school, or enjoying a family day out in the city, we can feel more confident in the reduced levels of pollution they are exposed to.

“There are a number of schools in the city centre adjacent to a busy road. The LEZ will reduce the health risks to those schools, improving air quality, and creating a positive impact on pupils’ health.”

Dr Ruaraidh Dobson, Senior Research Analyst and air quality lead at Trilateral Research, said: “Glasgow has high levels of traffic pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide. Low emission zones play a key role in changing that – they work to get cars off the road. That helps protect children from developing asthma and keep our communities healthy.”

FoE Scotland: Yousaf must end relationship between Holyrood and the fossil fuel industry

FRIENDS of the EARTH: OIL & GAS INDUSTRY LOBBIED SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT 200+ TIMES UNDER STURGEON’S ‘OPEN-DOOR POLICY’ TO POLLUTERS

Research conducted by Friends of the Earth Scotland has uncovered the shocking extent of the oil and gas industry lobbying of the Scottish Government under Nicola Sturgeon.

Campaigners are concerned that the influence and lobbying by the fossil fuel industry has weakened the Scottish Government’s climate commitments and is slowing action on the transition away from fossil fuels. Oil lobbyists met Ministers as they were preparing the Climate Change Act in 2019, in the runup to COP26, and ahead of the recently published Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.

The fossil fuel industry has made hundreds of billions in profits in recent years as household bills have soared. Oil companies are pushing to expand and drill new fields despite the devastating climate impacts of burning fossil fuels.

Campaigners are calling on Humza Yousaf’s new Government to make a clean break from the old regime and end the ‘open door policy’ to big polluters like Shell, BP and Equinor.

The analysis revealed that Ministers met oil company lobbyists nearly once a week over 4 years.

Meetings uncovered include then Finance Secretary Kate Forbes meeting with oil company Equinor during the COP26 climate conference, Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse meeting with BP and Shell in consecutive years at the opera in Florence, Italy, and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met with the President of Petrochina at Bute House.

 ++ SCALE OF OIL & GAS LOBBYING ++

Analysis of the Scottish Government’s Lobbying Register and its Ministerial Diaries shows that:

From March 2018 (when the Lobbying Register began) to December 2022, there were 212 recorded meetings between Scottish Government ministers and representatives of the fossil fuel industry.

Of these meetings, junior ministers were present at 115 meetings, Cabinet Secretaries 71 times, Special Advisors 26 times and the First Minister attended 12 of the meetings.

Michael Matheson MSP and Paul Wheelhouse MSP were the industry’s favourites, both clocking up 39 meetings each.

The other members of the Government who met the industry more than 10 times were Ivan McKee MSP, Richard Lochhead MSP and Kate Forbes MSP.

SSE was the most active company with 62 meetings followed by BP with 32 and oil lobby group Offshore Energies UK with 22Scottish Government meetings.

 Friends of the Earth Scotland head of campaigns Mary Church said: “Burning fossil fuels is the major driver of climate breakdown yet the arsonists are being asked how to put out the fire. Under Sturgeon it is clear that the Scottish Government has had an open-door policy towards the fossil fuel industry for years.

“Whilst the true scale of fossil fuel company lobbying is likely to be even greater than what is detailed here, this data, and the Scottish Government’s continued overreliance on speculative technologies that are designed to prolong the life of oil and gas, show that the industry’s lobbying machine has been allowed to exert a harmful influence over decision making on climate and energy.

“The fossil fuel industry has known about the danger of climate breakdown for decades and not only failed to act, but deliberately buried and obscured the truth about their role in driving it. They have repeatedly proven that they cannot be trusted to deliver a just energy transition. If tobacco companies can be banned from lobbying about healthcare, then by the same principle the fossil fuel industry must be stopped from lobbying on climate and energy.

“To avoid catastrophic climate impacts, and do our fair share globally, we must phase out oil and gas in this decade. As First Minister, Humza Yousaf has the chance to chart a new path away from fossil fuels without the industry trying to call the shots. If his Government is serious about tackling the climate crisis and delivering a just transition, it must cut ties with the fossil fuel industry and ban them from lobbying.”

Campaigners are highlighting how the Scottish Government is still heavily reliant on Carbon Capture and Storage and hydrogen to meet their climate targets, technologies which are backed by the oil and gas companies as a way to prolong the lifespan of the industry. However, these technologies are unproven at the scale envisaged and it is indisputable that they will not be developed in time to meet the need for urgent action.

In many instances it is clear from the research that the fossil fuel industry scheduled meetings with Ministers in the lead up to decisions being made that would impact their business.

For example, in May and June 2022, Equinor held meetings with Minister for Just Transition Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon shortly before they announced their plans to develop the controversial Rosebank oil field in the North Sea, in August 2022. The Scottish Government has so far failed to directly speak out against Rosebank’s development, despite it being over three times the size of the Cambo oil field which it opposed in 2021.

The fossil fuel industry has had a significant impact on climate policy globally, often pushing for weaker regulations, denying climate science and blocking the transition to renewable energy.

 ++ CAMPAIGN DEMANDS END TO OIL & GAS LOBBYING ++

A global campaign to cut ties between the fossil fuel industry and the main United Nations body that tackles climate change – the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – has been calling for a conflict of interest policy that would ban the industry from meetings like Glasgow’s COP26.

There is precedent for companies with vested interest in harmful industries being excluded from decision making spaces, with the World Health Organisation banning lobbying from the tobacco industry on global health policy in 2003.

Campaigners are calling for the new First Minister Humza Yousaf to end the relationship between the fossil fuel industry and the Scottish Government, by ending lobbying meetings between ministers and representatives of the fossil fuel industry. Only meetings necessary to regulate and transition the industry should be permitted, and these should be called by public officials and held transparently.

Scotland recycling less waste and sending more to incineration, latest SEPA stats reveal

New statistics reveal that Scotland recycled less and sent more waste to incineration in 2021 than 2018. SEPA did not publish complete datasets for 2019 or 2020 because of the cyber-attack on the organisation.

The total amount of waste fell, probably in response to the fall in economic activity during the pandemic.

Waste statistics published today (28 March) by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) show that in 2021:

+ The total amount of waste generated in Scotland was 9.6 million tonnes;

+ 56% of this waste was recycled, a fall from 2018 when 60% of waste recycled;

+ This reduction means almost 1.5 million tonnes less of Scottish waste was recycled;

+ Incineration rose 14.6% compared to 2019 and the amount of waste burned tripled over 10 years

+ The amount of waste sent to landfill also increased by 0.4% from 2019.

Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “This is the first time in three years that we have seen a snapshot of Scotland’s waste trends and the picture is extremely concerning.

“A fall in economic activity in the pandemic may have led to a short term drop in the amount of waste Scotland produces but this is likely to rise again once activity resumes.

“Despite the pandemic reducing overall waste levels, the amount of waste burned continues to rise and has tripled in just ten years. The moratorium on new incineration was a vital first step to reverse this trend but these statistics show it is not enough and must now be backed up with a ban on burning plastics and a phase out plan for existing incinerators. However, rather than closing incinerators, projects which already had planning permission are allowed to start operating and are receiving funding. This needs to stop now.

“Scotland must transform the way it uses materials and waste less to reduce our impact on the planet. It’s vital more is done to prevent valuable reusable or recyclable materials burning in incinerators or ending up in landfill. Ensuring waste is not created in the first place is the best way to reduce its environmental impacts, and if waste is created, we must recycle as much of it as possible.”

The Scottish Government published the second and final part of its independent review on incineration in February 2023. The review recommended that the Scottish Government should introduce a ban on burning plastics by 2030. The Scottish Government has not yet responded to these recommendations.

The NESS incinerator in Aberdeen was given Scottish Government funding in November 2022, six months after the first independent review on incineration was published. Despite construction problems and local communities voicing concern, the NESS incinerator begun burning waste in 2023.

Earlier this month it was revealed that, rather than treating the toxic bottom ash produced by the incinerator locally as planned, the operators are sending it over 100 miles to Fife.

Divestment Day of Action

Climate campaigners in Edinburgh join national protests against fossil fuel investment

– Demonstration took place in Edinburgh yesterday (24 March) as part of UK-wide divestment day of action
– More than 30 groups across Britain joined “Divest from Crisis, invest in our future” events to call for an end to council investments in fossil fuels
– Climate campaigners highlight the Lothian and Falkirk Pension Funds’ investment in big polluters by staging a theatrical depiction of the love triangle between the Pension Funds, fossil fuel companies and green investments outside City Chambers

Climate justice campaigners from Edinburgh and Falkirk staged a theatrical demonstration outside Edinburgh City Chambers today (24 March) to call on the Lothian and Falkirk Pension Funds to stop investing in fossil fuels.

Local campaigners from Divest Lothian, Friends of the Earth Falkirk and Stop Rosebank staged a short period-costume drama, taking inspiration from Martin Scorsese’s classic film ‘The Age of Innocence’, to depict the love triangle between the Lothian and Falkirk pension funds, big polluters and green investments.

The Edinburgh protest is one of over 30 demonstrations taking place across the UK today as part of a “Divestment Day of Action” to urge councils, pension funds, and financial institutions to take action to address the crises of fuel poverty, climate breakdown, and energy security by removing investments from fossil fuels.

The Lothian Pension Fund, administered by the City of Edinburgh Council for the four Lothian councils, invests an estimated £229 million in fossil fuel companies which are driving climate breakdown, including BP, Shell, ExxonMobil and Equinor.

The Falkirk Pension Fund, which is run by Falkirk Council, invests an estimated £123 million in some of the world’s biggest polluters, including BP and Shell.

Joan Forehand, campaigner with Divest Lothian, said: “All paths to a livable and economically viable future start with ending the exploration for, and development of, new sources of fossil fuels and instead investing in the rapid development of clean energy.

“The last year has shown fossil fuel companies doubling down on further expansion of oil and gas whilst continuing to distract the public with greenwashing. All responsible investors have a part to play in recognising that they hold great power, via divesting, to signal to policymakers that these companies are on a path that is no longer morally or economically supportable.”

In 2022, both the City of Edinburgh Council and East Lothian Council passed motions calling on the Lothian Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuel companies, but the fund has not yet changed its policy.

Sally Clark, divestment campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “The spiralling cost of living and the breakdown of the global climate are both symptoms of an unstable and unjust fossil fuel energy system that is devastating communities around the world.

“By continuing to invest in big polluters like BP and Shell, the Lothian and Falkirk Pension Funds are literally gambling with our futures. It’s time for both funds to end their investments in climate-wrecking fossil fuels and instead invest in warmer homes and renewable energy that can help ensure we have a liveable planet for future generations.”

Luke Henderson, Chair of Unison West Lothian Branch, said: “More and more public sector and private sector pension funds are making the switch to fossil free investments. The Lothian Pension Fund needs to catch up with them.

“Fossil fuel companies are not effectively responding to the fact that they need to move to renewable energy in the future and currently invest only a tiny fraction of their investments in green energy. History is littered with once dominant companies that did not respond to changes and who suddenly disappear.

“Companies like Olivetti refused to move from typewriters to computers or Kodak who refused to move to digital photography. We should switch our investments before it is too late and the fossil fuel companies stock value plummets.

“Furthermore, in the face of extraordinary economic challenges ahead, we need to reset and create a new economy that places the health of us all above the wealth of a few. Local government pension schemes can play a part in this by mobilising the money they move out of fossil fuels into socially useful investments in the local economy.”

‘Legacy of Failure’ of carbon capture highlighted by climate campaigners

  • ++ Timeline shows two decades of failures on carbon capture technology
  •  ++ Instead of subsidising the Acorn project, campaigners argue public money would be better spent on public transport, home insulation and climate solutions that work today.
  •  ++ Technology labelled a ‘dangerous distraction’ that risks prolonging life of fossil fuel companies

Climate campaigners have highlighted a ‘legacy of failure’ on controversial carbon capture technology as the UK Government prepares to make a decision on investing more public money in the Acorn project in the North East of Scotland.

It has been almost 20 years since the Scottish Carbon Capture Society was formed but the industry has captured and stored zero tonnes of carbon in that time. In the intervening two decades, there have been failed proposals for carbon capture projects at Peterhead and Longannet fossil fuel power stations and at the Grangemouth industrial site.

The UK Government said they will make an announcement on support for further carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in Spring 2023. Acorn failed to get ‘Track 1’ status and a share in £1 billion funding from the UK Government in October 2021.

Politicians and companies have been pleading for more public money for the Acorn project, despite Acorn partners Shell making $40 billion in profit in 2022, and Harbour Energy making $2 billion in profit before tax in the first half of 2022. The Acorn project appears to be totally reliant on further public subsidy to progress.

Carbon capture technology has been identified as a ‘dangerous distraction’ from the real, working climate solutions of rapidly reducing our use of fossil fuels through increased home insulation and the expansion of affordable and accessible public transport.

Campaigners say that both Governments should be investing in these measures that can improve people’s lives and cut emissions now rather than subsidising carbon capture which will only benefit hugely profitable fossil fuel companies.

The Scottish Government’s plan to meet their climate targets is dangerously over-reliant on carbon capture and storage. Ministers were warned by Holyrood committees, the UK Climate Change Committee and climate campaigners that they need a ‘plan B’ for when carbon capture fails to deliver. The Government has already admitted that carbon capture will not deliver in time to help meet 2030 targets but has neglected to act to address the shortfall in climate action.

Friends of the Earth Scotland climate campaigner Alex Lee said: “The story of carbon capture is a long and inglorious legacy of failure. The UK Government must not continue to throw public money at fossil fuel companies to try and prolong their climate-wrecking industry through the pipe dreams at Acorn or anywhere else.

“The only successful capture by this industry is public money, because it is certainly not capturing carbon. It’s long past time to stop subsidising some of the most profitable polluters on the planet.

“After nearly 20 years of industry promises and a complete failure to deliver, it is time to redirect that investment and energy to climate solutions that we know can deliver emissions cuts and improve peoples’ lives today, rather than falling for eternal promises of it just being around the corner.

“Scottish Ministers need to wake up and realise that carbon capture and these other so-called negative emissions technologies are a dangerous distraction from the urgent and necessary working of cutting emissions at source and delivering a just transition away from fossil fuels.”

Timeline of CCS failure

2005 – Scottish Carbon Capture Society founded
2007 – UK Government launch CCS industry demonstration project competition aiming to be operational by 2014.
2007 – BP pull out of Peterhead CCS project
2010 – Scottish Government CCS Road Map published. Existing coal stations would have to fit CCS no later than 2025 with a 100% capture rate required on new stations.
2010 – UK Government makes £1 billion available in capital investment for a CCS project.
2011 – UK Government pulls out of negotiations with Scottish Power & Shell because CCS project would cost over £1 billion.
2012 – UK Government launches second CCS development competition.
2015 – Peterhead CCS failure round 2. UK Government announced the £1 billion capital funding for the second competition was no longer available.
2017 – National Audit Office reveals £168million spent on failed CCS competitions including Peterhead.
2020 – Scottish Government Climate Change Plan update pledges approx 19% of efforts to meet 2030 climate targets will be achieved by Negative Emissions Technologies (e.g.CCS) and approx 25% of reductions by 2032.
2021 – Scottish Government’s Monitoring Report admits that NETs “ will not deliver at the pace assumed in the Climate Change Plan update”
2022 – Acorn cluster fails to meet its previously predicted timeline saying it would have drilled its first well in the North Sea by 2022.
Feb 2023 – One year since SSE & Equinor application to Scottish Government for new gas power station at Peterhead, with the claim CCS will be added to plant. Application has not progressed.
2023 – Acorn cluster fails to meet its previously predicted injection of 200 kilotonnes of carbon into sea beds. Currently this project has limited funding and no planning permission.

SNP voters back rapid move away from oil & gas, new polling shows

++ YouGov polling of SNP voters shows overwhelming support for UK to ‘get off oil and gas as quickly as possible’

++ First Minister candidates are urged to speed progress towards a fair and fast energy transition for workers and communities

A YouGov poll of 1,000 SNP voters has shown that there is huge support for a quicker move away from oil and gas to ensure access to reliable and affordable energy. A majority of respondents who expressed an opinion supported a ban on exploration for new oil and gas, and opposed the controversial Rosebank oil field.

Campaigners say that the candidates to be First Minister must lay out their vision for how Scotland will move away from oil and gas in a fair and fast way, in line with climate science. The next First Minister will be selected by SNP members in the coming weeks.

The respondents also back more support for affected workers and communities to help them benefit from the transition away from fossil fuels. The YouGov poll for Uplift/ Friends of the Earth Scotland was carried out on 22/23 Feb 2023.

Polling results:

  + 70% of SNP voters support the UK to ‘get off oil and gas as quickly as possible’ by ramping up efforts to improve energy efficiency and developing lots more renewable energy.
Just 4% thought the UK should ‘continue to meet its energy demand primarily with oil and gas for as long as is necessary’
  + 45% support for a ban on new exploration for oil and gas (compared to 39% who did not support, and 16% who said they didn’t know)
  + 86% of SNP voters thought more support should be given to oil and gas workers to transition to green jobs
  + 62% of respondents thought that not enough was being done to ensure communities in North East Scotland were ready and able to benefit from the transition away from oil and gas.
  + 89% of SNP voters were supportive of the creation of a ‘publicly owned company to produce energy’ which would ‘ensure the benefits of the transition to renewables are more widely shared’

Friends of the Earth Scotland head of campaigns Mary Church commented: “As the campaign to be the next First Minister hots up, any credible candidate must put the need for a fair and fast transition away from fossil fuels at the heart of their vision for Scotland’s future. Backsliding on fossil fuels or supporting UK Government plans to drill for more oil would only exacerbate the climate crisis.

“Rapidly bringing down emissions while protecting affected communities and workers through this transition will be one of the defining challenges of the coming decade. This transformation to a climate safe future must prioritise meeting the needs of ordinary people  rather than clinging on to an outdated energy system that only benefits profiteering oil companies.

“From banning fracking and opposing the Cambo field, to asking how soon to phase out oil and gas in the recent energy strategy, Nicola Sturgeon has started to steer the SNP away from its long-standing allegiance to fossil fuels. Her successor must continue in this direction and swiftly rule out support for any new fossil fuels, and put a plan in place to end reliance on oil and gas within this decade.”

Lauren MacDonald from Stop Rosebank commented: “People in Scotland understand that there is no future in new fields like Rosebank and are tired of being rinsed by oil and gas producers.

“They can see that the public harms outweigh the benefits, whether it’s the more than half a billion pounds in public subsidies Rosebank will get, despite the industry raking in billions, or the vast emissions from burning its reserves.”

“It’s also clear from this polling that people want a proper, managed transition, which won’t happen as long as new drilling is allowed to continue.

“Anyone aspiring to lead the party and Scotland needs to not just acknowledge these views but make sure they are heard loud and clear in Westminster.”

***

The UK Government’s decision is imminent on the approval of Rosebank, which is the largest undeveloped oil field in UK waters. The Scottish Government has said that new fossil fuels are not the answer to either the cost of living crisis or the climate emergency.

Nicola Sturgeon has said that her Government will end its support for drilling every last drop of oil and gas as part of its new Energy Strategy. The Scottish Government is also consulting on whether there should be a presumption against exploring for new oil and gas and limits on existing fields.  A quicker phase out of oil and gas is needed in order to limit global heating to the critical 1.5oC threshold.

Despite commitments by the Scottish Government to co-design the Just Transition Plan for the energy sector, direct involvement of oil and gas workers has been limited to an online survey so far. The chair of the Just Transition Commission wrote to the Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work about his ‘deep concern’ after the Government failed to consult with them on the development of the Plan. The Plan includes a number of Just Transition outcomes but no route map to delivering them.

In 2017, the Scottish Government announced they would support a publicly owned energy company but subsequently dropped the idea. There has been criticism that the huge Scotwind project has privatised the opportunity for offshore wind, risking a failure to deliver supply chain benefits, protections for workers and a long term source of revenue to the public purse.

UK Labour have pledged to create a Great British Energy company to generate ‘clean power’ if they get into UK Government.

Climate experts have been clear that there can be no new fossil fuel projects if the world is to stay within agreed climate limits of 1.5C of warming.