McInnes reveals Transport Scotland jet-setting (South Of Scotland Liberal Democrats)

South Of Scotland Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

McInnes reveals Transport Scotland jet-setting

September 2, 2010 5:29 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Alison McInnesA Liberal Democrat Freedom of Information investigation has revealed that Transport Scotland took 661 short haul domestic flights in the last 12 months.

Transport Scotland's officials on these flights pumped 65 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere.

In total, flights taken by Transport Scotland officials produced 116.53 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide.

In July this year, Transport Scotland set a target to "reduce [their] annual emissions from air journeys particularly between Scotland and London, by 20,000 kg [of] CO2 by the end of the three year period [2010-2013], a 20% reduction."

In the last 12 months Transport Scotland officials have also taken many international flights to destinations such as South Korea, Peru, Venezuela and South Africa, including 33 flights to Dusseldorf and 17 to Amsterdam.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

"The number of flights within mainland Britain taken by Transport Scotland is sky high.

"Given that Transport Scotland only employ 280 people I wonder how they can take so many flights."

"This is Scotland's transport agency- the body supposed to be helping us reduce our emissions.

"They have produced more than 100 tonnes of CO2 by flying, both at home and abroad.

"Transport Scotland's target to cut emissions is puny. They plan to cut CO2 by just 20% at a time when many businesses are cutting domestic flights altogether. If they cut all domestic flights they would reduce their emissions by more than 55%.

"The Scottish Government needs to get a grip on its transport agency.

"Transport Scotland should be leading by example and using low carbon modes of transport like the train wherever possible. They have stated that air travel should be used as a last resort, but took nearly 2 flights a day last year.

"Transport Scotland's HQ is a ten minute walk from Central train station and Buchanan bus station. There's really no excuse not to use low carbon alternatives to flying.

"People will find advice from Transport Scotland hard to swallow if they know how much emissions are being produced by their own officials."