Extinction Rebellion banner calls on Moray MP Douglas Ross to back Climate and Ecology Bill

MEMBERS of Extinction Rebellion in Moray are calling for the area's MP Douglas Ross to back the Climate and Ecology Bill.

Environmentalists from the group unfurled a banner on the bridge across the A96 past Forres this morning, which was removed at around 3pm.

The banner read 'Back the climate and ecological emergency bill' and, members said, was aimed at Moray's Conservative MP Douglas Ross.

The Climate and Ecology Bill was signed by Moray Council at a full council meeting two weeks ago.

The council became the first in Scotland to sign the bill, which supporters argue will bring current net zero strategy in alignment with UK’s commitments under the 2016 UN Paris Climate Agreement.

Local activist Allan Gray said: “Following a summer of devastating drought in England, floods, wildfires and crop failure across northern Europe record temperatures around the UK and China, it’s time for Douglas Ross to take Moray Councils lead and back this bill.

"No more empty promises. We need our MP to do everything in his power to minimise the harmful consequences of the climate crisis, reduce our dependency on expensive gas and invest in a workers led just transition to cheaper and cleaner alternatives."

Douglas Ross said he will consider signing the bill when it comes to the House of Commons for a vote – adding that it's important the UK reduces its reliance on "expensive imports".

“This Bill is currently awaiting it’s second reading so I will look to see the full wording when it comes back to the House of Commons for a vote," he said, in response to Mr Gray.

“While I acknowledge the bill’s intentions, the UK already has an emissions reduction framework in place and was the first country in the world to introduce a legally binding, long-term emissions reduction target.

“The UK’s net zero target is informed by the independent expert Climate Change Committee and 2050 was considered by them to be the earliest feasible date for achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

“We urgently need to tackle climate change, but at a time when families are facing increasing costs due to rising energy bills, it is also right that we build our energy security to reduce our reliance on expensive imports.”

People can express their desire for Douglas Ross to back the bill at www.ZeroHour.uk/writetomp.