An overwhelming number of Scots believe climate change is one of the most important challenges facing the world", according to a poll.

The survey of more than 1,000 Scots, commissioned by Catholic aid agency (Sciaf), found that 88% of women and 84% of men tended to agree or strongly agreed this was true. It was published as Sciaf issued a report on "Why Scotland must act now to combat climate change". The report suggests that scientific evidence implies if we are to maximise our chances of avoiding catastrophic climate change, greenhouse gas emissions need to peak and substantially fall within the next five to ten years. It called on the Scottish Government and parliament to take seven measures such as including aviation and shipping in greenhouse gas targets and establishing a carbon fund to give financial incentives to reduce emissions.

The report said the onus was on developed countries to "take the lead" on reducing emissions, saying the UK and Scotland had made "disproportionately large contributions". India has more than 16% of the world's population, but produces just 4% of emissions, Brazil emits seven times more than Scotland but its population is 37 times higher, while the average Chinese person produces 3.6 tonnes of compared to the UK average of 9.6 tonnes.

Source: The Scotsman, 23.1.08