As Environment and Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson arrives in Durban, South Africa, for the world’s next round of climate talks, his Government is under fierce fire at home for slashing spending on environmentally friendly travel and not doing enough to save energy in homes.
A powerful coalition of groups representing substantial swathes of Scottish society are pressing ministers to drop their plans to cut spending on sustainable and “active” travel by one-third.The September spending review proposed reducing the money available for improving walking, cycling and other low-polluting travel facilities from £25 million in 2011-12 to £16m in 2012-13.
“Scotland’s track record on this issue is embarrassing to the point of recklessness,” said Scottish Environment Link, which represents 36 environmental and recreation groups.
Link chair Deborah Long said: “We cannot go on, year after year, spending around a meagre 1% of the transport budget on walking and cycling infrastructure without profound consequences for health and wellbeing.” Instead, the Scottish Government is boosting spending on motorways and trunk roads by nearly £100m next year.
“Stewart Stevenson could have difficulty in Durban trying to explain how Scotland today has world-class climate-change legislation but a transport policy stuck in the last century,” said Dave Morris, director of Ramblers Scotland.
“Expenditure on roads completely overwhelms that on walking and cycling routes. A massive increase in these routes is also needed if Scotland is to deliver physical activity legacy benefits from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
Ministers have also faced criticism about budget cuts from two other major coalitions, the National Access Forum and the Paths for All Partnership.
The Scottish Government is also criticised about failing to improve energy efficiency in homes. Although the budget proposes increasing spending on this from £48m to £65m, this is nowhere near enough, say environmental groups.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Despite the dramatic reduction on public spending imposed by the UK Government, we have prioritised funds that will support emissions reductions, help households address volatile fuel bills and build Scotland’s renewable future. This government is proud of its progress in improving home energy efficiency.”
