Ministers told to 'Go Green' Harper's way

A LOTHIANS MSP has urged the Scottish Government to sign up to a Green Party version of the recent Go Green pledges initiative.

The Government promotion is asking people to make ten lifestyle changes to reduce their impact on the planet, such as turning taps off while you brush your teeth.

But Robin Harper MSP, co-convener of the Scottish Green Party, has come up with ten alternative changes for Scottish ministers.

They includes setting proper binding targets to reduce carbon emissions by an average of 4.5 per cent each year and ensure that government, locally and nationally, buys local and organic food and supports Scottish producers.

He said: "The list of changes ministers are recommending are mostly things that Scots are starting to do already, like switching to low energy lightbulbs or recycling household waste.

"What's missing is leadership from ministers themselves, who remain committed to a business-as-usual high carbon Scotland.

"I urge Michael Russell and others to read our ten pledges carefully, and sign up to as many as possible so they too can go green in 2008."