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A MESSAGE FROM THE FIRST MINISTER
Welcome to the National Conversation - a unique opportunity for you to consider and debate the most important issues affecting the future of Scotland
Gaelic language version
Over the last ten years the Scottish Parliament has shown how Scotland can successfully govern itself by providing distinctive, innovative solutions to issues that matter to Scotland.
I am proud to serve as Scotland's First Minister, and proud of what we have achieved in that time. I believe that by abolishing tuition fees, providing care for older people, freezing the Council Tax, cutting business rates, delivering record numbers of police officers and addressing health and education, the Scottish Parliament and Government have made a real difference to the lives of the people of Scotland.
But devolution is a process not an event and the time is now right to review and further strengthen the responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament.
The current economic crisis has clearly demonstrated many weaknesses in the existing constitutional settlement. Scotland has very limited scope to lower tax rates to provide a fiscal stimulus. We cannot borrow money to fund public works, or make changes to benefits, pensions or tax credits to meet Scottish needs. Instead, Scotland is dependent on decisions made by the UK Government at Westminster.
Our choices are also limited on issues such as climate change, alcohol misuse and investment in renewable energy.
We believe that Scotland should be like any other independent European country, working in partnership with our neighbours and with our own voice and the full ability to meet the needs of the people of our nation. This is why we plan to hold a referendum at the end of 2010, so you can decide.
But what does an independent Scotland mean to you?
The National Conversation is about giving you the facts, hearing your views and providing opportunities to debate some very serious issues about the future of Scotland. We believe that, only then, can you make informed choices when the referendum comes.
This leaflet is part of that ongoing process of keeping you informed about the opportunities and impact of an independent Scotland.
I look forward to debating these issues with you.
Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP
RURAL AFFAIRS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
"With a quarter of Europe's tidal and offshore wind energy resource, Scotland has the potential to become the green energy capital of Europe, and a world leader in offshore renewable energy technology."
Renewables and Climate Change
Scotland is already a world leader in its approach to tackling climate change and through our ambitious Climate Change Bill. Scotland's leadership is driving new thinking, new solutions and new technologies which will put Scotland at the forefront of building a sustainable low carbon economy.
With a quarter of Europe's tidal and offshore wind energy resource, Scotland has the potential to become the green energy capital of Europe, and a world leader in offshore renewable energy technology.
But only through independence will Scotland be able to make the most of these opportunities.
Offshore wind developers have already expressed interest in ten offshore sites around Scotland, which would have the potential to generate 6 gigawatt of offshore windpower. Scotland has the biggest potential for Carbon Capture and Storage in the EU. The Saltire Prize, which will award £10 million for innovation in marine renewable technology, has already created interest across the world.
"Green energy is forecast to create at least 16,000 jobs over the next decade, and Scotland aims to generate 50% or more of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and decarbonise electricity by 2030."Scotland's position at the forefront of marine renewables demonstrates the importance of being able to capitalise on these natural assets. Green energy is forecast to create at least 16,000 jobs over the next decade, and Scotland aims to generate 50% or more of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and decarbonise electricity by 2030.
One of the major sources of funding for energy efficiency is the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target ( CERT) which applies to energy companies. CERT is a UK scheme which is designed to address issues across the UK, which means it may not operate as effectively as it might in Scotland.
Scotland cannot do all that it could to tackle climate change because there is a separation between energy policy, which is reserved, and the promotion of energy efficiency, which is devolved.
Addressing climate change is not a matter solely of power generation. The promotion of energy efficiency is devolved, and the Scottish Government has already provided:
- £15 million for a new area-based insulation scheme
- £13.5 million a year for community renewables and microgeneration
- £10 million a year to the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust
- £5 million for energy efficiency loans for small business
- £24 million into a central Energy Efficiency Fund for the public sector
"Scotland's approach to fisheries and marine conservation, agriculture, rural development, animal health and welfare, biodiversity, waste, pollution and climate change are all dependent to some extent on international organisations, including the EU and the UN." Scotland in the EU and Beyond
Decisions are made in the EU, such as on quotas and regulation, which affect Scotland's environment and rural communities. Scotland's approach to fisheries and marine conservation, agriculture, rural development, animal health and welfare, biodiversity, waste, pollution and climate change are all dependent to some extent on international organisations, including the EU and the UN. When these issues are considered in Europe, Scottish priorities can be diluted or even lost among UK priorities. Day after day, Scotland finds that it cannot take the action it wants to. Scottish Ministers can only speak in EU Council meetings to deliver the UK negotiating line, while every independent country in the EU is able to focus on and negotiate for its own priorities. In an independent Scotland, Scottish Ministers could negotiate for the benefit of Scotland on these issues.
There is a mix of devolved and reserved issues in Scotland, particularly in the marine environment, where responsibilities are divided between the UK and Scottish Governments. Health and safety, marine transport, lighthouse and coastguard functions are all reserved to the UK Government. This inevitably leads to confusion about responsibilities and duplication of resources. An independent Scotland would have control over these matters, providing a coherent and efficient regulatory system for the marine environment.
Similar problems arise elsewhere. In waste policy, for example, control over exports and imports is reserved, meaning that Scotland does not have the full range of powers required to properly protect our natural environment. Neither can Scotland change the taxation of rural businesses to help promote the viability of rural areas, prevent rural depopulation and support recovery in the rural economy. EU legislation permits member states to reduce fuel duty in remote and island communities, but Scotland cannot take advantage of this, and has to lobby the UK Government. And the UK Government's vision for the future of the Common Agriculture Policy is very different from the Scottish view.
Fiscal Powers
Independence would allow Scotland to develop taxation policies to help deliver a greener, low-carbon economy. Green taxes are one of the main tools for moving towards sustainable economic development. Several EU countries have developed green taxes over the previous decade, and these have an increasingly high political importance throughout Europe. Under current arrangements, taxation is a matter for the UK Government, and Scotland is unable to set its own green taxes. Independence would allow Scotland to make these decisions, and introduce green taxes which would complement its position as a world leader in renewable energy technologies and its ambitious targets for improved resource use.
Inflexible UK tax rules can impact on rural areas. For example, new entrants to farming can struggle to get established because of taxation of land (particularly agricultural land) and assets for inheritance purposes, and the way that letting income is treated. An independent Scotland could use its own tax system flexibly to support rural areas.
Key Questions:
What opportunities could independence bring for the Scottish environment, seas, renewable energy and rural economy?
What gets in the way of achieving our priorities on the environment, Scotland's seas, renewable energy and in rural Scotland?
How would having our own voice in Europe benefit vital Scottish industries like fishing and agriculture?
To what extent is Scotland prevented from protecting our natural heritage by current constitutional arrangements?
Richard Lochhead MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment
Scotland's natural and built heritage are some of our most prized assets, and are renowned throughout the world. It is crucial that our stewardship of the environment not only protects what we already have, but allows us to develop innovative solutions to the environmental issues we face.
Already we are developing new technologies to reduce our reliance on traditional fossil fuels. Scotland has a quarter of Europe's tidal and offshore wind energy resource, and is well-placed to become a world leader in offshore renewables and other green fuel technologies.
Yet despite Scotland's leading role in this area, many decisions, including on issues such as nuclear power, are taken by the UK Government. The UK Government also retains control over access to the National Grid, putting Scotland at a further disadvantage.
Only independence will allow Scotland to take full advantage of our potential for cutting-edge green technology, make full use of our natural resources and improve our energy efficiency.
Scotland is currently prevented from reaching its full potential in other ways. Our farming and fishing industries rely on decisions about quotas and regulations taken by the EU. Many other aspects of Scottish life, including rural development, animal health and welfare, biodiversity, waste, pollution and climate change are influenced by the EU and other international organisations. However, our interests are not always properly represented.
Scotland's priorities, which reflect our unique geography, biodiversity and economy, are often lost and diluted in the development of a UK position. Independence would improve Scotland's negotiating position as part of the EU and other international organisations.
The National Conversation is an important opportunity for us to debate the way in which decisions about Scotland's natural heritage, agriculture, fisheries and environment are made, to ensure a greener and wealthier future for us all.
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