Lyon to fight Scotland's corner at Copenhagen climate summit

12.40.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Oct 2009

George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, has announced his intention to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen to ensure Scotland's voice is heard during these crucial negotiations.

Many people are calling December's Copenhagen Summit the last chance to save our planet from irrevocable climate change. With Scotland's huge potential to develop wave and tidal power, Mr Lyon believes that the talks to reach a new global agreement are an opportunity to showcase Scotland's ambitious plans to tackle climate change.

Commenting, Mr Lyon said:

"I want Scotland to be at the forefront of worldwide efforts to combat devastating climate change.

"Scotland has the potential to be Europe's renewable energy powerhouse. It is estimated that 25% of Europe's renewable energy capacity could be generated in Scotland through our wind and tidal reserves.

"The EU has recently shown a massive vote of confidence in Scotland's potential by investing £100 million in two renewable energy projects.

"I am going to Copenhagen to fight Scotland's corner and make it clear that we are ready, willing and able to take a leading role in the global fight against climate change."

Mr Lyon also voiced his disappointment at the Scottish and UK Government's failure to reach an agreement that would see a Scottish Minister involved in negotiations at the Conference:

"Scotland's part in protecting our planet is too important to be left to those who can't decide who will play the leading role on the world stage.

"The Scottish and UK Government's failure to agree on representation at the summit is just the latest in a long line of childish arguments and petty disputes.

"Their bickering is not in the best interests of Scotland, and certainly not in the best interests of our environment."