Scottish Green MSPs have accused the Scottish Government of behaving in a “reckless” manner by relying too heavily on North Sea oil and gas jobs.
In a debate in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Green MSPs will call on the government to work alongside trade unions, industry and workers to come up with a plan for moving oil and gas workers into new employment.
The party’s co-convener Patrick Harvie said: “The devastating job losses in the North Sea should have been the final warning for the Scottish Government and Scotland’s parties to start drawing up plans on how to move away from our over-reliance on fossil fuels. Yet, it still looks like no other party but the Scottish Greens is willing to face the facts and start looking ahead.
Harvie continued: “The choice we do have is to invest in in the huge opportunities of the post-carbon economy. As our research has shown, it offers far more secure, high quality employment than will be lost as the fossil fuel age passes. Instead of sticking with the status quo in the face of more redundancies and financial instability, we could be planning for a transition and securing the future of our workers, our energy production and our economy. I hope all MSPs do the right thing for Scotland’s future and vote for a sensible transition plan.”
The Greens say they will use today’s debate to argue for a “managed decline of North Sea oil and gas extraction” to allow the skills and experience of workers to be used in “renewables, decommissioning and sustainable forestry.”
A report commissioned by the Scottish Green MSPs last year said that 200,000 new jobs could be created through a managed transition from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “One year ago this month, we created the Energy Jobs Taskforce (EJTF), which continues to co-ordinate action and lay a solid foundation for a truly modernised North Sea oil industry. The EJTF has already helped to support more than 2,500 individuals and 100 employers through the current downturn. The EJTF will continue to support the industry to improve collaboration, co-operation and innovation.
“Despite the challenge of the low oil price the oil & gas sector can still have a strong future. BP restated its commitment to the North Sea earlier this month and, with 22 billion barrels of oil and gas remaining, there are still many opportunities in the North Sea. This will require a concerted effort from everyone – industry, governments and the new regulator.”
Source: www.thenational.scot
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