Environmental campaigners staged a Halloween-themed demonstration outside the Scottish First Minister's official residence in Edinburgh on Saturday, protesting against the approval of a new gas-fired power station at Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.
The protest came after the Scottish Government gave the go-ahead for the plant, a decision that campaigners described as a "catastrophic failure". They argue that burning fossil fuels is the key driver of extreme weather, including recent storms, record heat and flooding.
Protest outside Bute House
Protesters wearing Halloween-themed masks and holding placards with messages such as "fossil fuel ghouls" and "this decision will haunt you" gathered outside Bute House, with some sitting on its steps.
Kate Whitaker, Friends of the Earth Scotland head of movement building, said: "Fossil fuels are scary because of the harm they are already causing to millions of people. When politicians make disastrous decisions to approve new oil or gas, people get even more terrified about our collective future."
Whitaker added: "We are outside the First Minister's residence but he is not getting any treats this year. His Government has chosen to put more people in more danger from extreme weather and is tricking people by trying to claim that new gas burning is somehow compatible with a safe energy future."
Criticism of the decision
The decision has been branded a "catastrophic failure" by environmental campaigners. Whitaker said: "Giving the go ahead for a new fossil fuelled power plant at Peterhead is a catastrophic failure from the Scottish Government to protect people from both climate breakdown and the increasing burden of household energy bills."
She said politicians could instead "help allay our fears by focusing on climate solutions that improve people's lives such as warmer homes, reliable bus services and creating green jobs."
The protest also follows the UK Government's announcement that the Jackdaw gas field near Aberdeen would be allowed to go ahead.
Scottish Government response
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We remain unwavering in our commitment to tackle climate change, delivering positive climate action to achieve net zero by 2045."
The spokesperson added: "The full grounds for the ministers' decision are set out in the decision letter. Potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including the cumulative effects of developments, were important considerations in the decision-making process. It would not be appropriate to comment further."
