WHEN large parts of the world are experiencing intense heat waves and rising ocean temperatures, the UK Government has announced hundreds of new oil and gas licences.

This action by the UK Government has committed to increased fossil fuel extraction which is climate vandalism.

These new oil and gas exploration licences will be catastrophic for our climate and do nothing for the city’s security.

The climate crisis is the greatest security threat that Glasgow will ever face.

We know that reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is critical to our net zero future.

We need to support a Just Transition for Glasgow which implements decarbonisation that meets our climate ambitions. This is more urgent than ever.

We know that it is the unfairness of our economy that is really to blame.

It is the richest few who are responsible for causing most of the damage and loss, but it is those with the least who are most affected by climate change.

Climate change is unfair and this is why we need to focus on addressing climate justice.

We can and must do more locally to provide a greener, fairer future.

Greens are delivering on our commitment to set out an ambitious, net zero transition plan and laying the foundation for a just and prosperous future, in which no one is left behind.

In the autumn of 2022, Glasgow City Council established a cross-party Just Transition Working Group convened by Scottish Green councillor Elaine Gallagher.

The working group has drawn on a wide range of people’s knowledge and experience to help shape our city’s future as we move from a post-industrial to post-carbon city.

Elaine has shown strong leadership in taking forward this work as a fair and just transition is an environmental necessity and is absolutely key to our city’s security.

The Just Transition Working Group report and its 18 recommendations have been published on the council’s website.

This provides a focus on four areas including the Just Transition approaches adopted by the Government, as well as the preparations by the private sector.

The key role of communities, trade unions and citizens is also detailed in the report. In addition, the council’s actions to enable a just transition to take place are outlined.

The report will be presented as part of the agenda for the Net Zero and Climate Progress Monitoring City Policy Committee on August 8.

In the coming weeks, there will be an opportunity to engage in discussions on the recommendations covering green skills and jobs, improvements to transport and mobility, home retrofit, investment funds, access to greenspace, and community engagement to increase public participation.

Our focus will be on taking forward the report’s recommendations at pace and maximising the opportunities for a Just Transition across all our communities.

We have to follow a Just Transition process with workers and local communities at the forefront.

We need to take decisive action for a fast and fair transition to net zero which provides warmer homes, safer streets and healthier lives.