The Scottish Government says it remains fully committed to tackling the climate emergency.
Friends of the Earth Scotland has said that delays to the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan are “understandable” given the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
The environment charity made the comments after climate change secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced that the plan would be delayed, along with several other pieces of legislation, while the crisis was ongoing.
The minister said the government remained “fully committed” to tackling the global climate emergency and to updating the plan to reflect the national net-zero carbon targets.
However, she added: “In face of the unprecedented health and economic implications of the Covid-19 pandemic we have come to the view that publishing the Climate Change Plan update by the end of April is no longer feasible or appropriate.
“This does not mean that work on our ambitious plan will pause – indeed it will continue – but it is recognition that we are operating in a changed landscape.”
Ms Cunningham has written to the Committee on Climate Change to seek expert advice and said she hopes the plan can contribute to a “green recovery” once the outbreak is over.
Friends of the Earth Scotland climate and energy campaigner Caroline Rance said: “We know that the Scottish Government, many civil servants and our MSPs are focused on dealing with the coronavirus health crisis right now, so it is understandable the Climate Change Plan is temporarily put on hold in this extraordinary time.
“We offer our enormous thanks and support to those workers at the forefront of this crisis; those in health and caring professions, the people ensuring everyone has enough to eat, and those working to keep vital public infrastructure operating.
“As with any national or global crisis, it will be the poorest and most vulnerable who will suffer most. The people-powered responses to coronavirus have shown clearly our collective concern for our neighbours and wider society and we must take this approach into tackling the climate emergency.
“The climate emergency remains urgent, and solutions to the climate and environmental crises must be socially just. This pandemic shows how important it is that climate action tackles existing inequalities and protects the most vulnerable - both at home and around the world.”
