Scots have said they are hopeful today as major eco summit COP26 kicked off in Glasgow.
But as as world leaders gathered at the SEC to discuss measures to tackle climate change, many Scottish people who are passionate about helping to save the planet said they want to see as much focus put on holding corporations accountable as there is on individual actions.
Speaking to the Daily Record, many urged the world leaders who have travelled across the globe to Scotland to take action against large businesses who produce Co2.
It comes after a Sunday Mail investigation revealed more than 400 private jets carrying the leaders and business executives to Cop26 will blast 13,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
The flights – which will produce more global warming gas than 1600 Scots burn through in a year – have been branded “rank climate hypocrisy” and the “nadir of carbon inequality”.
But Scots told the Record they are hopeful Cop26 will make a difference and spark major changes in the right direction.
Glasgow mum Anne Haughey and her daughter Susan Haughey stopped to share their thoughts on the major eco summit as they fear what the future looks like.
Anne said: “It is time for the leaders to come together more and be on the same page.
“I think sometimes money or other selfish reasons can leave people motivated in the wrong way, but now it’s time to do the right thing.
“I was disgusted to hear more than 400 private jets were being brought to Scotland for Cop26.
"However I’d still like to think it [Cop26] will make a difference.
“Living with my daughter, who is a vegan and so passionate about progressive change, is really helping me learn more about it.
“I really just want to see a better future for my kids and grandkids and this is a chance for that.”
Susan added: “I’m vegan for the animals, but also the environment.
“I want to see the leaders come out with an agreement to do more after Cop26.
“There's politicians who can get paid £150,000 from an oil company but will tell us to stop using plastic straws.
“This can’t just be on individuals, we need to see big corporations asked to take responsibility as well.”
Sisters Juliette Goddard, 23, and Emily Goddard, 19, were also hopeful that the conference would spark change but begged world leaders to focus on big corporations instead of individual actions.
Student Emily from Edinburgh : “I have always been interested in climate change, I really want to do my bit.
“I want to see action from the leaders from Cop26. I don't think enough has happened since the Paris agreement.
“I recycle and reduce plastic but that won’t be enough on it’s own. We need bigger changes.”
Juliette, who works at vertical farming company, Intelligent Growth Solutions in Edinburgh, said: “We need to see a change from corporations.
“There is no point in constantly asking the public to change the way they live rather than tackling these big companies.
“Most of the emissions come from industry. If we could cut that it be massive, that's what the focus should be on.
Protester Ale, 27, from Glasgow was less optimistic about the summit and complained not enough indigenous people had a voice at the table.
He said: “I think Cop26 is a total farce. It is a back-patting exercise for world leaders.
“It is shocking that indigenous groups and first nation groups have not been given any support in attending this event.
“These are the people whose voices are the most important because their land is burning or flooding.
“Here in the UK we have a bit of a hot summer and a wet winter so it's a'no skin off our back' attitude and most people don’t realise how serious it is.
“I just don’t think the world leaders really mean it when they say they want to help us or indigenous people at all.
“This is a formality which will be forgotten about next week.
“We need a ban on subsidising oil, there should be a ban on tarmac roads, there should be a five year plan on what they are really going to do. That's what needs to come out of Cop26.
“We need to listen to the experts who know this stuff and can help us be more sustainable, not just listen to politicians who are interested in getting voted in again, not the planet.
“Individuals are not responsible for the climate crisis; it is the companies who produce these mass emissions. We need to start focusing on that.
“We shouldn’t have our heating on all the time, we shouldn’t gather plastic, or flying across the world for 15 quid but what we really need to stop is these giant companies who are the ones causing most of the Co2.”
It wasn’t just Scottish people at standing on the streets of Glasgow for Cop26 as people across the globe turned out.
French activist Jean-Baptiste Redde also known as Voltuan, came to Scotland from the South of France for eco summit with flags from different countries tied around him to represent solidarity.
The 64-year-old former teacher said: “I came here because it is important to ask our decision makers to act forcefully.
“We are all in danger, us and the animals, so we need to respect nature by looking after it and investing in sustainable energy.
“It is important to put so much money into the climate. We need solidarity. It is time to act together for the best.
“I tried all the flags to me to show all the counties are coming together for social justice as the world is at stake.
“I love this country of Scotland, I feel very warmly about the landscapes and the people. It is a wonderful place.
“I want to see Cop26 make a difference. I hope it does. I will do my part to protest for sustainable energy.”
