Energy, pollution and the environment
Scottish Socialist Party Election manifesto 2011
In a devolved Scotland the SSP is committed to implementing the following:
■ Responsibility for energy to be transferred from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament and the wealth of Scottish energy resources to be brought into public ownership. This will allow the full development of these resources in an ecologically sustainable and socially just manner putting people and planet before profit.
■ An independent audit commission, to enforce Scottish climate emissions targets of at least three per cent a year.
■ The tightening of building regulations to compel construction companies to use sustainable sources for their construction materials and to ensure that energy efficiency is built into the design of buildings and appliances fitted.
■ Every new building, including private homes, to be carbon neutral by 2016.
■ 100 per cent grants, available to all, for insulation and double-glazing in private homes.
■ All rented housing to have compulsory insulation and double-glazing.
■ The replacement of overhead pylons with underground cables where environmentally beneficial.
■ The cancellation of all airport expansion projects.
■ A ban on the transportation of nuclear materials on Scotland’s roads and railways.
■ The protection by law of ancient forests.
■ An expanded, fully integrated, publicly owned, fully accessible and free public transport network.
■ The cancellation of new road-building projects.
■ A reduction in urban traffic by extending pedestrianisation of town and city centres and halting all further development of out-of-town shopping malls.
■ Diversification and alternative employment opportunities for fishing communities.
■ A conservation scheme to protect wildlife habitats and parkland from industrial development.
■ An audit of all contaminated land to identify areas that may pose a potential health hazard and embark on a safe and comprehensive containment or clean-up programme.
■ Environmental education to be incorporated into the curriculum of primary, secondary, further and higher education.
■ Kerbside collection of materials for recycling, including glass, from every household in Scotland.
■ Recycling bins in every public building and workplace.
■ All suppliers of goods to the public sector to be legally required to use biodegradable and recyclable packaging.
■ A ban on any release of genetically modified organisms into the environment and effective testing of food and animal feed imports from countries which do grow GM crops to ensure that food and feed imports are not contaminated.
■ A ban on the sale of GM food products.
■ Public contracts to be refused to any company with a record of dangerous work practices or polluting the environment.
■ Local communities to be provided with information about any plan to construct a mobile phone mast within a one mile radius and to have the right of veto.
■ No new incinerators.
■ Serious waste reduction targets to be set for every local authority area, backed by whatever resources are necessary to deliver these targets.
We will also campaign for the following measures, which are not within the Scottish Parliament’s powers:
■ An international 90 per cent reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide by the year 2030 together with significant reductions of other greenhouse gas emissions.
■ Investment in alternative energy technologies, including community-owned wind farms, tidal power and clean coal technology.
■ Public and community ownership of energy, including oil, windfarms, electricity, coal and gas, with a proportion of all profits ring-fenced for investment in alternative energy.
■ An end to the imposition of pre-payment meters on those who owe debts to gas and electricity companies.
■ Refunds backdated by five years to households which have been forced to pay the higher charges associated with pre-payment meters.
■ Increased taxation on aviation fuel, with revenue used to improve high speed rail and ferry links between Scotland and mainland Europe.
■ Resistance to the building of any new nuclear power plants in Scotland, and the setting of a clear timetable for the decommissioning of existing nuclear power stations.
■ A target date for all public service vehicles to be carbon-free.
■ A target date for all private vehicles to be carbon-free.
■ Legislation making it illegal to own, as well as to import, illegally logged timber.
■ All biofuels to have sustainability and greenhouse gas certification.
■ The establishment of elected anti-pollution boards at national and local level to monitor and enforce pollution controls, and for these boards to have the power to impose penalties.
■ A shift of focus away from pure economic growth as measured by gross domestic product, in favour of a more balanced measurement of the quality of life.
