Scottish Water backs environment but regulator joins enviro-sceptics

Just as the Scottish Government prioritised the fight against climate change in Scottish Water's plans, news emerged that regulator Sir Ian Byatt was helping a group critical of the evidence behind climate change.

Campaigners, including UNISON, had just congratulated plans from the Government and the Water Industry Commission to make climate change a higher priority in Scottish Water's objectives and investment plan. This reflected the new climate change duties on public bodies from January 2011.

Then it emerged that Sir Ian Byatt, chair of Scotland's Water Industry Commission was to advise the Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF), a think-tank that questions the science behind climate change concerns.

The Water Industry Regulator has a key role in regulating prices charged by Scottish Water and monitors performance.

Dave Watson, UNISON Scottish organiser, said: "It beggars belief that the regulator of Scotland's water industry should ally himself with this group. I will be writing to John Swinney, calling on him to sack him."

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