SNP ditches power sharing deal with Scottish Greens amid climate target row

Politics in Scotland have been plunged into crisis today after the SNP terminated its power sharing deal with the Scottish Green Party, in a shock move that follows hot on the heels of the controversial decision last week to scrap Scottish Government's 2030 climate target.

First Minister Humza Yousaf this morning announced that the so-called Bute House Agreement  signed in August 2021 had been brought to a close with immediate effect, ending a governing partnership with the Scottish Greens that had lasted for well over two and a half years.

As such, Scottish Green MSPs Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie – who had until this morning served as Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, and Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights, respectively – have now left the Scottish Government, which for the present leaves the two policy briefs unfilled in Holyrood.

Yousaf did not offer specific reasons for terminating the power sharing deal, but said it was "no longer guaranteeing a stable arrangement" and that the SNP's partnership with the Scottish Greens had "served its purpose".

"The events of recent days have made that clear, and therefore, after careful consideration, I believe that going forward it is in the best interest of the people of Scotland to pursue a different arrangement."

However, the First Minister is thought to have been under growing pressure inside his party for a change in tack, amid deepening divisions with the Scottish Greens on key issues surrounding climate action, housing, council tax rates, and gender policy reforms.

Yousaf said the SNP would form a minority government in Holyrood, where it is now two seats short of an overall majority, haling the move as a "new beginning" for the Scottish Government.

But the First Minister now looks likely to face a vote of no confidence next week, amid calls from opposition parties including Scottish Labour, the Scottish Conservatives and the Lib Dems for a fresh election to be held.

In his letter to the Scottish Greens announcing his decision this morning, Yousaf thanked Slater and Harvie for their efforts in government, and said he was "proud of our work together to build a greener, fairer and independent Scotland", and hailed their "spirit of co-operation".

"We have worked together, too, to accelerate our transition to net zero, with a focus on fair work, green jobs and more support for active travel and the launch of free bus travel for under 22s," he wrote.

Yousaf also went on to insist that the cessation of the Bute House Agreement "should not be a barrier to our parties continuing to work together to make progress on the policies Scotland needs to thrive".

But the Scottish Greens reacted to the move in anger, with Slater accusing SNP of "political cowardice" by caving in to sections of its party she suggested were opposed to more progressive and ambitious policy on climate action.

"This is an act of political cowardice by the SNP, who are selling out future generations to appease the most reactionary forces in the country," she said in a statement.

"They have broken the bonds of trust with members of both parties who have twice chosen the co-operation agreement and climate action over chaos, culture wars and division. They have betrayed the electorate."

Slater added: "If they can't stand up to members of their own party, how can anyone expect them to stand up to the UK government at Westminster and defend the interests of Scotland?"

It follows the Scottish Government's decision last week to scrap its 2030 target to slash Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions by 75 per cent from 1990 levels, after being warned by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) that the goal was likely no longer achievable.

It also opted to ditch Scotland's annual emissions reduction goals, as it blamed budget cuts and green policy U-turns in Westminster for hampering decarbonisation efforts north of the border.

The Scottish Government has insisted it remains resolutely committed to its 2045 net zero emissions target, and last week also unveiled a flurry of fresh green policy plans alongside a promise to table fresh climate legislation later this year.

But the decision was still described as "deeply disappointing" by the CCC, which urged the Scottish Government to lay and deliver fresh climate legislation "as soon as possible", while a number of business groups and investors also lamented the glaring lack of policy clarity and consistency in Scotland to help accelerate the net zero transition.

It came as a number of other key Scottish Government controversial policies had also been abandoned or significantly tweaked in recent weeks, including a decision to put a pause on the prescription of puberty blockers for under-18s.

In her statement this morning, Slater sought to place the blame for the Scottish Government's failure to deliver on and stick to its 2030 climate target on the SNP.

"We want, we demand, a fairer greener Scotland," she said. "We believed the Bute House Agreement would speed up that process, only to be let down by the SNP time and time again - on council tax, on oil and gas, on 2030 and most obviously, again today. 

"I appeal to those SNP members who do care about climate, trans rights, independence and our country to consider if they are in the right party for their values, or if their home should be with us as we prepare to step up our defence of the planet in opposition."

Green business and environmental groups reacted with frustration and disappointment at the political drama in Holyrood today, amid fears of overshadowing or hampering much needed action to accelerate Scotland's decarbonisation pathway.

Simon McWhirter, deputy chief executive at the UK Green Building Council – which represents 730 companies and organisations in the built environment sector – said he was "disappointed that politics is once again getting in the way of vital progress on climate change".

"Scotland needs strong leadership and a clear pathway to net zero that enables industry to invest in green growth with confidence," he said.

"We call on the Scottish Government to recommit to a just transition to net zero and to urgently work collaboratively with industry to deliver on the commitments of the Climate Change Plan and the Heat in Buildings Strategy. It must act on the recommendations of the Green Heat Finance Taskforce and create a robust plan to adapt our built environment to climate change. UKGBC Scotland members remain eager for continued engagement in the policymaking process."

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks also demanded renewed energy and action being Scotland's climate agenda, highlighting the strong public support for green policies that "create jobs and delivery warmer homes, cleaner air and support more farmer to adopt climate and nature-friendly practices".

"Despite this news, one thing remains the same – the Scottish Government must urgently continue to take steps to address the climate and nature emergency," he said.

You can now sign up to attend the fifth annual Net Zero Festival, which will be hosted by BusinessGreen on October 22-23 at the Business Design Centre in London.