Christina McKelvie has written to the Scottish Government calling for a national moratorium on new incinerators across Scotland.

In the letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government and the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Christina hailed the world leading climate change legislation brought in by the Scottish Government. The legislation commits the country to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 and becoming carbon neutral by 2040. The legislation also sets legally mandated targets to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040.

Christina is concerned that planned incinerators, such as the controversial Overwood Farm application submitted by Viridor, could put achieving these targets at risk.

The Welsh Government has announced a moratorium on incinerator facilitates with a capacity of more than 10MW. Welsh Ministers will refuse to grant applications for proposals under 10MW capacity unless “applicants can show there is a need for such facilities in the regions in which they are planned.”

Commenting, Christina said:

“Scotland is at the forefront of tackling the climate emergency. Since 1990 we have managed to halve our emissions here in Scotland, second only to Sweden in Europe.

“I am concerned that incinerators, like the one proposed for Overwood Farm, will put this progress at risk. We need to make sure our zero waste, climate change, emissions and planning policy all come together to take Scotland forward.

“I am strongly against the proposed incinerator in Overwood – an incinerator the local community have made clear they neither want nor need. However, I also believe we should look at our incineration policy nationally to ensure it ties in with our planning policy and environmental targets. More important than anything else is ensuring we protect Scotland’s environment for future generations.”