12 March 2013
Transform Scotland Announces New Chair
Chair's call for Parliament to hold Ministers to account on climate plans
Transform Scotland is today (Tuesday 12th) pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Matthews as the new Chair of Transform Scotland. [1] Phil has twenty years experience in sustainable development and climate change policy. Amongst a wide range of experience, Phil was for four years the Senior Policy Advisor and Acting Director of the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland. [2]
Commenting on his new role, Phil Matthews said:
“I am delighted to have been chosen as the new Chair of Transform Scotland. I have spent the past 20 years working on sustainable development and have a particular commitment to changing Scotland’s transport for the better. A sustainable transport policy for Scotland can help make our communities healthier and better places to live. It must link into the health, economic, social and climate change agendas.”
"Cutting emissions from transport is essential if Scotland is to meet its climate targets. Scotland risks losing its international reputation on climate policy if the Scottish Ministers don't act to strengthen the climate plans currently being scrutinised by the Parliament. It's the transport section of the plans which are least satisfactory and we now need to see leadership from the Parliament in holding the Ministers to account on their plans." [3]
Transform Scotland Director Colin Howden said:
“We are delighted to have Phil join us as the new Chair of Transform Scotland. His experience of sustainable development, energy and climate change policy will be invaluable to us as we continue to campaign for sustainable transport for Scotland.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland
Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups. See <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/members.aspx> for details.
2. Phil Matthew
In his professional life, Phil holds two posts: he is a Partner in CAG Consultants LLP (one of the UK’s leading climate change and sustainable development consultancies) and acts as Executive Co-Director of the Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum (a local authority representative body on nuclear waste and legacy issues for England and Wales).
Phil has experience of working with both Governmental organisations and NGOs including as an Advisor on Energy to the Existing Homes Alliance Scotland and WWF Scotland. Previously, he served as Senior Policy Advisor and Acting Director of the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland, and was for some time a Board member of Friends of the Earth Scotland.
3. RPP2
Transform Scotland is a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland which is currently running its 'Get your Act together' campaign <http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/get-your-act-together> for a stronger climate change action plan ('RPP2'). Transform Scotland's own response to RPP2 is available at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/climate-plan-needs-strengthened.aspx>.
END OF NEWS RELEASE