Green Yes

The Scottish Government has published a document setting out five "key gains" that independence would bring for the environmental movement. (There's more detail later but in summary):

1. We can place the environment at the heart of a written constitution
2. We can have a nuclear free Scotland
3. We will have access to the support and funding we need to protect and enhance our natural environment
4. We will be represented in the EU and have the opportunity to drive the agenda
5. We will have a stronger voice on the global stage

Better Together's tiresomely predictable response has been to claim that, unlike any other country that wants effectively to tackle the various environmental challenges that face us all, Scotland doesn't need and certainly shouldn't get any further powers to do so. It needs only a change in "political will". We just need to try harder with the limited powers that we have. Why? Well, just because, obviously.

In fact this claim doesn't just spectacularly miss the point. It highlights a sixth, and quite possibly most fundamentally important, "key gain" from a Yes vote for the Green movement in Scotland. Come independence, I'll vote Green. And I am far, far from being alone. There is an enormous reservoir of sympathy for the aims and aspirations of the Green party amongst Yes voters and activists. But for me, and the SNP voters among them, the priority at present is to gain independence, to get control of the powers that we think we need to act effectively, as we decide. It's anecdotal of course (and if anyone knows of any study on the likely political make up of the first independent Scottish parliament, please post a link in the comments). But ask yourself: does it ring true from your own experience? Does it sound right? Anecdotally, have you heard those who currently vote SNP say they'd vote Green come independence? If you haven't, ask them. In fact, then, independence is not just about making available the full range powers that a normal independent country has. It is, I'd suggest, likely to lead to a reshaping of the political landscape in a way that will hugely boost the will to act. It'll enhance both the power and the will.


But even if all that is entirely wrong, the identified gains are clear. Dr Richard Dixon of Friends of the Earth Scotland says:

"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."

Getting rid of nuclear weapons of mass destruction 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.

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."

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood's economy and energy committee, says:

"This week the Scottish Parliament spoke up for a nuclear-free Scotland and a nuclear-free world. The environmental and economic possibilities that come from independence show we have an opportunity to set a greener agenda.

If Westminster rather than Holyrood remains responsible for nuclear weapons, our energy system and its tax regime I doubt we'll see meaningful change. Scotland has so much potential to create a sustainable legacy. That's a powerful and positive message Greens are taking to undecided voters across the country."

And even now, an the SNP says its priorities for action as a government in its first year will include:

"To propose to the Constitutional Convention, which will develop a permanent written constitution for Scotland, that the right to live in a healthy environment and a duty on government to use Scotland’s natural resources sustainably are included amongst the fundamental principles on which an independent Scotland is built.

Securing early agreement on the speediest safe removal of nuclear weapons is a priority. This would be with a view to the removal of Trident within the first term of the Scottish Parliament following independence.

To assume Scotland’s seat at the EU Environment Council, taking a direct part in the European debate with our own voice for the first time and ensuring that we are always represented by those with Scotland's interests and the interests of our environment at heart.

Making the case in Europe for the Common Agricultural Policy to deliver improved environmental outcomes, and, at the same time, for sufficient flexibility to tailor the policy measures to Scotland’s specific needs and circumstances.

Championing tackling climate change in international forums as a member of the UN and EU to: call for higher ambition; set out Scotland's positive case study as a country planning for and making the transition to a low carbon economy; and to promote climate justice."

Ask yourself: how might that compare to the priorities for the first year of a Tory/UKIP coalition in 2015?

The paper comments on the gains as follows (and you can download it here):

"1. We can place the environment at the heart of a written constitution.
A written constitution is the highest and strongest of laws. It is a statement of the fundamental principles by which a country chooses to live regardless of the leanings of those in power. With independence, Scotland will join the vast majority of countries around the world by creating and committing to a written constitution.

The Scottish Government has published a draft Scottish Independence Bill which contains its proposals for an interim constitution, including the entitlement to live in a healthy environment and a duty on Government to ensure that Scotland’s natural resources are used sustainably.

In 1976 Portugal was the first country to include provision about a healthy environment in their constitution. Now, over 90 countries have granted similar status to the environment. In nearly all
of these countries there is evidence that environmental laws have been strengthened, enforcement improved and public participation increased. These countries are also more likely to have smaller ecological footprints, ratify international agreements and make faster progress in tackling pollution.

2. We can have a nuclear free Scotland
The Scottish Government aims for a future powered by clean, green energy that harnesses the renewable resources that we have been blessed with. Scotland already generates the equivalent of 46% of our electricity demand from renewables, up from just 14% a decade ago and we are on track to meet our target to produce the equivalent of 100% of electricity demand from renewables by 2020.

In the long term, renewable energy represents a safer, more cost-effective means of electricity generation than the expensive new nuclear plants that the UK Government favours. The subsidy that the new Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset, alone, will receive from taxpayers could be as much as £35 billion. That nuclear subsidy commitment is so large that it is over four times the cost of support to all renewable development projects across the UK over the last ten years. Similarly, the Westminster Government's proposed replacement for Trident nuclear missiles and their warheads is expected to cost up to £100 billion over its operational lifetime. An independent Scotland will be free to ensure that Scottish taxpayers do not waste their vital funds on hugely expensive weapons of mass destruction that the people of Scotland don’t want and don’t need.

3. We will have access to the support and funding we need to protect and enhance our natural environment.
With independence, we would be able, for the first time, to play a direct part in the negotiations over EU funding for agriculture and rural development. This funding is vital to protect and enhance our biodiversity and to maintain the green credentials upon which our reputation for high quality food and drink partly rests. A No vote would leave us with the current position where the Westminster Government has negotiated Scotland to the bottom of the EU rural development funding league table.

And we can easily see the difference that independence would make. Despite Ireland having around 25% of the agricultural land of the UK, it has successfully managed to secure a budget of €2.19 billion for rural development (Common Agriculture Policy Pillar 2) for 2014-2020. That is almost 85% of the total allocation for the UK and more than four times the size of Scotland’s allocation of €478 million. If Scotland had been able to secure a deal on a similar basis to Ireland, we would have received an allocation of approximately €3 billion.

A rural development budget of greater scale would offer all kinds of possibilities, allowing us to support truly ambitious landscape-scale projects to restore natural ecosystems, strengthen ecological networks, manage flood risk and enhance water quality through coordinated action over entire river catchments. With funding on that scale, we could more effectively overcome the causes of degradation on protected nature sites and provide a lifeline for declining farmland and upland birds and imperilled species like the red squirrel. We could also further increase the pace in delivering our climate change targets through new woodland planting, to protect and enhance our forests, and through an enhanced programme of peatland restoration.

4. We will be represented in the EU and have the opportunity to drive the agenda.
Countries of Scotland's size have led the way in setting and delivering progressive agendas in the EU. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the “smaller” EU Member States similar to Scotland (Finland, Sweden, Denmark) are relatively more successful in achieving outcomes closer to their preferred position in European Council negotiations than are the large Member States (e.g. France, Germany, Spain).

Holding the rotating six-monthly Presidency of the Council of the EU is one way in which smaller member states can wield significant influence. Ireland and Lithuania held the Presidency last year, and Latvia and Luxembourg will be taking the chair in 2015. With independence, Scotland could join the ranks of these countries, prioritising EU-wide discussion on matters that it regards as of particular importance.

An independent Scotland would also nominate a European Commissioner and could expect to increase – possibly double – its representation in the European Parliament (EP). Presently, the UK Government assigns six European Parliamentary seats to Scotland. This compares unfavourably to Member States of comparable size to Scotland, such as Denmark, Slovakia and
Finland with 13 seats in the EP, or Ireland with 12 seats.

5. We will have a stronger voice on the global stage.
An independent Scotland with its own place in institutions such as the EU and the UN will have a louder voice and greater influence on environmental policy all around the world, not just among our neighbours. Our world leading climate change legislation stands as an example of the high ambition that developed nations need to show as they strive to decarbonise their economies and keep global temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius or less. Climate change threatens to roll back global gains on human rights and Scotland is committed to making a real difference for some of the poorest people in the world. We were the first national government in the world to launch a Climate Justice Fund and we doubled it to £6 million last year. In Malawi and Zambia this is supporting communities affected by climate change to access clean water and it is educating and empowering women to play a leading role in their communities.

Last year Scotland also staged the inaugural World Natural Capital Forum. Hosted by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by the Scottish Government this attracted delegates from over 30 countries keen to explore new thinking which aims to enable businesses and policy makers to make informed decisions about their impact on the environment, to assess the financial and other benefits they obtain from natural capital, and to make a concerted effort to protect it.

With independence we could build on these foundations. Scotland has always been an outward facing country but our global impact will be limited until we are an equal partner among the family of nations and can give voice to our experience and values. Independence will raise Scotland’s international profile, giving us a stronger platform from which to inspire and influence others and to represent Scotland's interests."