ONE of the world’s top environmentalists has praised Scotland for its efforts in the fight against global warming but challenged it to step-up and become an international “leader” in tackling climate change.
Manuel Pulgar Vidal was in Edinburgh where he was honoured by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for his continuing work leading efforts on world agreements over how to tackle environmental threats.
The former Peruvian environment minister, who chaired the UN Climate change Conference in Lima three years ago, said he was “deeply honoured” to have received the Shackleton Medal from them.
But after lavishing praised on the Scottish Government decision to ban fracking, WWF International’s climate and energy chief said Scotland had a generational chance to set tangible targets that raised ambitions for its pending Climate Change Bill in Scotland.
Great evening with @RoyalScotGeoSoc #Shackleton medallist @manupulgarvidal with @ScottishPower , @UniStrathclyde and @2050ClimateGrp pic.twitter.com/hz10eEWsoy
— Mike Robinson (@RSGS_CEO) October 12, 2017
And that, he said, included a push towards zero emissions by 2050 rather than the proposed 80 percent currently being proposed.
Deeply honored to have received the "Shackleton Medal" of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for our efforts to got de Paris Agreement. pic.twitter.com/VdGwbCx088
— Manuel Pulgar Vidal (@manupulgarvidal) October 12, 2017
He said: “Scotland is doing a great job. You have done good things like establishing a phase out for fossil fuel of vehicles by 2032.
“Also good things by banning fracking in the country
“And you are doing great things with this new Climate Change Bill. But you can do it better.
World-leading climate expert @manupulgarvidal makes impassioned plea for strong Scottish Climate Change Bill #OorFuture 🌍💚 pic.twitter.com/EaB7huiqYg
— wwfscotland 🌍 (@WWFScotland) October 11, 2017
“You can define a clear target – 100 percent of emissions cut by 2050 because Scotland and the planet deserve to have a carbon neutral economy by 2050.”
Great to meet @manupulgarvidal, instrumental figure in Paris climate agreement, as he was awarded @RoyalScotGeoSoc Shackleton Medal tonight. pic.twitter.com/cU3WDv5V7o
— Patrick Harvie 🇪🇺🌈 (@patrickharvie) October 11, 2017
He added: “Act for our future, not just defining a clear target for a carbon neutral economy, but also means for its implementation. Move your actions into farming, into transport, because you can show that you are leading the process.”
Want to learn more? Read: Manuel Pulgar-Vidal appointed to lead WWF climate and energy work
Image credits: WWF Scotland
