The Scottish Government has been flooded with thousands of objections from around the world over plans to build a new coal-fired power station.
WWF Scotland said more than 10,000 people from 100 different countries have made submissions to the public consultation on the proposals for the new power station at Hunterston.
The environmental charity has said the new power station would increase Scotland’s carbon emissions and make a mockery of its ambitious climate change targets.
WWF international president Yolanda Kakabadse, from Ecuador, said, “When Scotland’s world-leading climate laws were passed it was rightly hailed as a great example for the world to follow.
“Plans for coal-fired power plants that do not capture all the emissions from day one, put that leadership in question.The eyes of the world are watching and hoping that Scotland will reject this proposal and continue to show that climate change can’t be addressed without vision, policy and action.”
WWF Scotland director Dr Richard Dixon said, “With this huge public outcry, it is clear that a new coal-fired power station at Hunterston is not only unnecessary but it is also deeply unpopular.
“This polluting plant is now being opposed locally, nationally and internationally and will face a very rough ride through the planning process. We urge the Scottish Government to consider the views of people not only in this country, but also from abroad, whose lives could be seriously affected by the damaging effects of climate change.”
Contending Scotland does not need a new coal-fired power station, he said, “A combination of improved energy efficiency and increased use of Scotland’s wealth of clean renewables is more than adequate.”
Christian Aid is also calling on its members to object to the plans and two of its partner charities-the South African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance-have also submitted official objections.
The public consultation period ends next week.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtest if Flickr user jayneandd.