ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners rebuked Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney as “all talk and no action” today after he urged politicians from all parties to “recommit” to tackling climate change.

Mr Swinney made the remarks at a European climate summit in Glasgow just 24 hours after Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater used First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) to accuse his government of inaction on targets to cut car use.

”It sounds like their preferred solution is to just drop the target altogether,” she said.

Undaunted and taking aim at Reform UK, Mr Swinney told the gathering: “As populist leaders like Nigel Farage trade the hope and health of future generations for short-term gains, they push back against the very idea of a climate crisis.

“In the face of anti-science climate denial, it is for all parties to recommit ourselves to tackling one of the great global issues of our time — and ignore the dangerous rhetoric growing on the right.

”There is a growing risk that momentum on climate finance for vulnerable nations could be sidelined.

“We stand in solidarity with those in the global South, and we are championing climate justice on the world stage. We will continue to play our part.”

Climate activists rallying outside however remained unconvinced.

Stop Rosebank campaigner Lauren MacDonald said: “Despite his many speeches in favour of climate action, the First Minister has still not taken a real position on the potential approval of new oil and gas fields.

“While the SNP sits on the fence on oil and gas, jobs supported by the industry have more than halved over the past decade as the North Sea declines.

”The government — both here and in Westminster — is failing to come up with a plan to make sure good, clean manufacturing jobs are created in Scotland to protect workers.

“If John Swinney is serious about taking on the populists and tackling their empty rhetoric , and if the SNP really wants to show voters that it is the party for climate and for workers, then he needs to outline exactly how his party is going to protect them.” 

Environmental scientist Laura Young added: ”Time and time again, Scotland has backslid on its own targets, proving that when it comes to climate, the Scottish government is often all talk and no action.”