Overview

• First Minister John Swinney urged all political parties to renew their commitment to tackling climate change, calling it a defining global challenge.
• Swinney criticized right-wing populist leaders like Nigel Farage and Richard Tice for promoting climate denial and undermining urgent action.
• He highlighted Scotland’s legislative commitment to achieving net zero and nature-positive status by 2045, five years ahead of the UK target.
• Citing the UN World Meteorological Organisation, Swinney pointed to over 800,000 global displacements caused by extreme weather events last year as evidence of the escalating climate crisis.
• Swinney pledged Scotland’s continued support for poorer nations disproportionately affected by climate change, emphasizing the importance of climate justice and sustained international funding.