Environmental campaigners staged a Halloween-themed protest outside Scotland's first minister's official residence on Saturday, calling the Scottish government's approval of a new gas-fired power station at Peterhead a “catastrophic failure” to protect people from climate breakdown and the increasing burden of household energy bills.
Climate groups gathered on Charlotte Square in Edinburgh, with protesters wearing Halloween masks and holding placards that read "fossil fuel ghouls" and "this decision will haunt you." The demonstration targeted the Scottish government's decision to give the go-ahead for the gas plant in Aberdeenshire. It also follows the UK government's announcement that the Jackdaw gas field near Aberdeen would be allowed to proceed.
Kate Whitaker of Friends of the Earth Scotland said fossil fuels are "scary" because of the harm they are causing "millions of people." "When politicians make disastrous decisions to approve new oil or gas, people get even more terrified about our collective future," she 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 added that 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."
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 noted that the full grounds for the ministers' decision are set out in the decision letter, and that “potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including the cumulative effects of developments, were important considerations in the decision-making process.”
Analysis
Why this matters
- The approval of a new gas-fired power station runs counter to Scotland's legally binding net zero target for 2045, raising questions about how the government will reconcile fossil fuel projects with climate commitments.
- The protest highlights growing public pressure on governments across the UK to phase out fossil fuels, particularly as extreme weather events linked to climate change become more frequent.
- The decision could affect household energy bills and the pace of the transition to renewable energy in Scotland.
Background
The Scottish government approved a gas-fired power station at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups. The UK government's separate approval of the Jackdaw gas field near Aberdeen has added to tensions. Campaigners argue that burning fossil fuels is a key driver of extreme weather, while officials maintain that climate action remains a priority.
Key perspectives
- Friends of the Earth Scotland: Calls the Peterhead decision a "catastrophic failure" and argues politicians should focus on climate solutions like warmer homes, reliable bus services, and green jobs.
- Scottish government: Says it remains "unwavering" in its commitment to tackle climate change and achieve net zero by 2045, and that potential impacts on communities, nature, and cultural heritage were considered in the decision.
What to watch
- Whether the Scottish government publishes further details in its decision letter explaining how the Peterhead plant aligns with its net zero targets.
- Whether the UK government's approval of the Jackdaw gas field faces legal challenges or further protests.
- Any subsequent announcements on renewable energy investments or policy adjustments that might offset the carbon impact of the new gas plant.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedKate Whitaker said fossil fuels are “scary” because of the harm they are causing “millions of people.”BBC News: “Kate Whitaker of Friends of the Earth Scotland said fossil fuels are "scary" because of the harm they are causing "millions of people".”
- SupportedWhitaker said politicians’ disastrous decisions to approve new oil or gas make people more terrified about the collective future.BBC News: “"When politicians make disastrous decisions to approve new oil or gas, people get even more terrified about our collective future," she said.”
- SupportedWhitaker called the Peterhead power plant approval a “catastrophic failure” to protect people from climate breakdown and rising household energy bills.BBC News: “"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.”
- SupportedWhitaker said politicians could “help allay our fears” with climate solutions such as warmer homes, reliable bus services and green jobs.BBC News: “"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."”
- SupportedA Scottish government spokesperson said the government remained unwavering in its commitment to climate action and net zero by 2045.BBC News: “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."”
- SupportedThe spokesperson said impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including cumulative effects, were important considerations in the decision.BBC News: “"Potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including the cumulative effects of developments, were important considerations in the decision-making process."”
- SupportedEnvironmental groups called the Scottish government’s Peterhead decision a “catastrophic failure.”BBC News: “The decision has been branded a "catastrophic failure" by environmental campaigners”
- SupportedEnvironmental campaigners staged a Halloween-themed protest outside the first minister’s official residence over fossil fuels.BBC News: “Environmental campaigners have staged a Halloween themed demonstration outside the first minister's official residence over "scary" fossil fuels.”
- Not in the sourcesThe protest took place on Saturday.BBC News: “Environmental campaigners have staged a Halloween themed demonstration outside the first minister's official residence over "scary" fossil fuels.”
- SupportedThe Scottish government gave the go-ahead for a new gas-fired power station at Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.BBC News: “Climate groups gathered outside Bute House in Edinburgh to protest against the Scottish government's decision to give the go-ahead for a new, gas-fired, power station at Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.”
- SupportedProtesters gathered on Charlotte Square wearing Halloween masks and holding placards including “fossil fuel ghouls” and “this decision will haunt you.”BBC News: “Protesters wearing Halloween themed masks and holding placards with messages such as "fossil fuel ghouls" and "this decision will haunt you" gathered on Charlotte Square.”
- SupportedThe protest followed the UK government’s announcement that the Jackdaw gas field near Aberdeen would be allowed to go ahead.BBC News: “The protest also comes after the announcement from the UK government that the Jackdaw gas field near Aberdeen would be allowed to go ahead.”