Scotland stands at pivotal moment in its history

Tuesday January 21st 2025

Colin Beattie MSP

Colin Beattie MSP, Midlothian North & Musselburgh, writes his monthly column for Midlothian View

Scotland stands at pivotal moment in its history. As we rightly move towards a greener, more sustainable future, the transition away from oil and gas must be managed in a way that is fair, equitable, and leaves no one behind.

We must recognise the benefits a successful just transition can bring not only for the wider economy, but for employees in the oil and gas sector, by supporting a future-proof industry that will keep their skilled jobs in Scotland. Businesses in Midlothian are demonstrating the economic potential the green economy can have every day.

I recently visited Flowcopter in Loanhead who specialise in developing pilotless copter aircrafts for long range flights carrying heavy cargo. It was great to hear how their copters run on 100% renewable energy and the multiple potential applications it could have, including helping the offshore energy market by delivering cargo to windfarms bringing down costs for energy producers allowing for further investment.

Innovative companies like Flowcopter are proof that a just transition can bring skilled jobs to our communities. But we must learn from the mistakes of the past. Communities across Scotland are still recovering from the disastrous impacts of deindustrialisation.

With a properly executed just transition we will be able to enhance our energy security by ensuring the energy we rely on is produced in Scotland and not at the whims of a volatile oil and gas market.

A just transition will not be possible without the private sector, and this is why the Scottish Government is continuing to invest in our green economy, to increase the private sectors confidence in the renewable industry. More than £5 billion is being invested in the green economy through the Green Industrial Strategy and the Just Transition Fund.

By ensuring a successful just transition we can accelerate economic growth and tackle our other key priorities of eradicating child poverty and investing in our public services.

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