Climate change activists meet with the First Minister

People gathered in Edinburgh to talk about climate change with politicians at Holyrood in a mass lobby.

Those taking part wanted to get a message to the MSPs ahead of the new Climate Change Plan being published – and also wanted to highlight their demands ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election in 2026.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland organised the lobby on climate change with people from some of its 70 member groups taking part in discussions about hearing homes more cheaply, making public transport more accessible and affordable, and protecting land and seas around Scotland.

Emilia Hanna, mass lobby coordinator for SCCS, said: “The huge turnout at the lobby shows just how deeply Scots care about the effects of climate change on people, communities and the planet, and want to see action to protect the things they love.

“MSPs must heed these calls as they review the government’s new Climate Change Plan, which needs to contain robust measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions but also help boost health and well-being, provide good jobs, greener transport and nature-friendly food, and make sure homes are warmer and our bills cheaper.

“With the political will to drive fast and fair action, all this can be done.” 

Mike Robinson, chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: “If you care about poverty, you should care about climate change. If you care about your health, you should care about climate change. And if you care about things like food, affordable energy, safe homes, flooding, people being displaced from their homes, creating a more certain future and being more self-dependent in this current wave of geopolitical instability, then you should also care about climate change. 

“That’s why hundreds of people have turned up today for this lobby, and that’s why we will keep pushing for action on this issue. We will not settle for anything else. It’s too important.”

First Minister John Swinney was at Holyrood to meet with residents from his Perthshire North constituency.

Mr Swinney said: “I warmly welcome the work of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and everyone involved in campaigning for climate action. Raising awareness of this issue has never been so important – particularly at a time when we are witnessing a concerning rise in anti-climate rhetoric from opposition parties, despite the majority of people in Scotland recognising that climate change is an immediate and urgent problem.

“The Scottish Government’s commitment to reaching net zero by 2045 is unwavering, and the new carbon budget framework will put us on course to achieve this. Scotland is now more than halfway to net zero and continues to be ahead of the UK as a whole in delivering long-term emissions reductions.

“Through practical measures like growing our offshore wind sector, creating over 15,000 hectares of new woodland, and removing peak fares on ScotRail services, Scotland is well positioned to continue leading on climate action that is fair, ambitious and capable of rising to the emergency before us.

“We know the importance of reducing emissions but we also know the importance of adapting to the changes in our climate we are already experiencing. Last year we published our adaptation plan, with over 200 commitments to make our communities, public services and economy more climate resilient.”