Greens: 'Budget Must Help Us Hit Climate Promises'

This week's Scottish Government budget announcement must deliver on climate change promises.

That's the call from the Scottish Greens, who say environmental talks in Paris should influence spending in low-carbon industries to create more green jobs.

They also want a move away from investment in fossil fuels and fracking - tests for which have been conducted in Fife in recent months.

Fife council has set a target of reducing its carbon emissions by 42% by 2020, and by 80% by 2050.

Patrick Harvie from the Scottish Greens says: "The intentions signalled by the Paris agreement cannot be achieved unless fossil fuels are urgently abandoned. 

"Scotland's response should acknowledge the direction of travel, and we are well placed to make the switch to clean technology to sustain our economy and our society.

"This week's draft budget statement from the Scottish Government must deliver serious investment in the low carbon infrastructure our country needs, in turn creating the jobs of the future. Energy efficient housing, better public transport and support for community and publicly owned renewables have been consistent priorities from the Scottish Greens. 

"A bold budget and a clear commitment to move away from unburnable oil and gas is the only credible response."