Friends of the Earth Scotland says the Scottish Government's environment pledges are a "powerful argument" in favour of a yes vote
A major environmental campaign group has welcomed a document setting out what the Scottish Government claims are the environmental benefits of independence.
Climate change minister Paul Wheelhouse unveiled the constitutional paper this week.
Called Scotland’s Future and the Environment, it contains five "green gains" which independence would bring.
These include enshrining environmental protection in a written constitution, creating a nuclear-free nation, ensuring a fairer share of EU funding for environmental schemes, direct representation in Europe to secure fairer funding and a seat at the global top table to show international leadership in tackling climate change.
Its publication has been welcomed byFriends of the Earth Scotland, which said the promise of a written constitution was a powerful factor in favour of a yes vote in the 18 September referendum.
A written constitution enshrining the importance of the environment the single most powerful environmental argument in favour of a yes vote
Wheelhouse said: “Scotland is blessed with spectacular scenery, rich biodiversity and vast natural resources.
“These much-loved natural assets underpin our economy, our quality of life and the health and wellbeing of our citizens and visitors.
“Indeed, it could be said Scotland is powered by nature – but we are being held back from reaching our full potential by current constitutional arrangements.
“Only independence can empower Scotland’s nature for the benefit of all. Enshrining environmental protection in a written constitution is at the heart of our vision for an independent Scotland."
Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “This paper makes a number of welcome promises on how the environment would be protected in an independent Scotland.
“A written constitution enshrining the importance of the environment is probably the single most powerful environmental argument in favour of a yes vote.http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/
“A constitutional guarantee gives the highest possible legal status for protecting and enhancing the environment and acting on climate change.
“Any future government which proposed to trash the environment or ignore our climate obligations would swiftly find itself in court. Those who wish to stay as part of the UK need to show us how they would deliver something as powerful."
Whatever the result of the referendum, Dixon said Friends of the Earth will continue to hold the government to account for the environmental promises and climate commitments made to the Scottish people.
“Getting rid of nuclear weapons and making sure we concentrate on developing our huge renewable energy resources by ruling out forever building new nuclear reactors in Scotland are hugely important commitments to a greener, more peaceful and safer Scotland," he added.
”Scotland has a good story to tell about climate laws and renewable energy ambitions but this message is diluted in Europe and at the UN when we are part of the less-ambitious UK.”
