Ms Johnstone says a successful transition from oil and gas jobs will require the whole scale change of UK economic policy away from austerity.

The Green MSP says we know that we cannot burn half of the hydrocarbons that remain, without catastrophic climate change.

She says the Greens are not suggesting for a second that the oil and gas industry should end tomorrow.

Ms Johnstone says a disordered reduction in the fossil fuel industry is in no-ones interests, we need to plan for it. 

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says Scotland needs to be ahead of the game and a serious plan is required.

Ms Johnstone says we know we are over reliant on fossil fuels with all the risks that entails.

All colleagues have rightly focussed on job losses, although there is disagreement as to how to secure these jobs she says.

The Green MSP says we must be proactive in facilitating the transition now. 

Mr Ewing says new projects in the oil and gas sector are greatly welcome for Scotland.

Image source, PA

The minister says the government will continue to demonstrate its support for the oil and gas industry.

He says it will do absolutely everything it can to help people remain in jobs. 

The energy minister says there are teams of people in Aberdeen whose work is based on exploration.

If there is no work to do then these skills could be lost, says Mr Ewing.

He says he works very closely with Oil and Gas UK.

Mr Ewing says he has set up the Oil and Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) funded to the tune of several million pounds.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing says there are opportunities in Scotland to set a secure energy mix.

Mr Ewing says we are on target to reduce emissions by 42% by 2022.

He says there is more to do, referring to renewable heat companies. 

The minister says there is a need for pump storage and the islands to be connected, which is his top priority. 

Scottish Labour MSP Jakcie Bailie says the world has changed with oil prices dropping dramatically even since the new year.

Ms Baillie says they are expected to fall even further from $24 to $20 a barrel.

The Labour MSP says her party would support any effort in exploration into how the industry can be helped.

She says it is estimated that 65,000 jobs both direct and indirect have already been lost with small local suppliers also affected.

Ms Baillie says her party supports making the industry more efficient but that no one seems to know if any workers have been helped back into employment.

She says she would have expected a "greater sense of urgency". 

Scottish Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon says she is not against wind farms she just likes them to be in the right place.  

Image source, bbc

The Tory MSP said this was an opportune time to have the debate as the life span of some rigs is at an end.

Independent MSP Jean Urquhart says there is a glut of oil stocks but the oil price is out of our control.

Ms Urquhart says if we run the renewables industry as the oil industry has been run, then "God help us". 

The independent MSP says Scotland needs long term planning to make the transitional change that is required.

The Highlands and Islands MSP says there are not enough community renewable projects.

She says the damage of climate change is happening now. 

SNP MSP Dennis Robertson says says the oil and gas industry is in a situation which is unsustainable. 

Mr Robertson says it's not just the 6000 men and women from the oil platforms whose jobs are under threat but also the broader community.

The SNP MSP says jobs are affected in administration and the hospitality industry for example.

Mr Robertson issues a plea to the industry saying "think carefully" about the skills base available in this sector.

Power cuts, widespread flooding and landslips were reported on the 30th December as Storm Frank battered Scotland.

Thousands of homes were left without power in the north east, Argyll, the Borders, Highlands, Hebrides and Northern Isles.

Image source, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Ten adults and two children were winched to safety by a rescue helicopter after a Stagecoach bus became trapped near Dailly, Ayrshire.

Two severe flood warnings (possible danger to life) were issued for Whitesands in Dumfries and in Peebles.

Across Scotland on Wednesday 30 December over 70 flood warnings, external and 12 alerts remained in force.

Independent MSP John Wilson says climate change and global warming are all around us.

Mr Wilson says flooding represents the greatest threat of climate change to the UK, as we have seen over the last month.

He says fossil fuels are a finite resource and this must be addressed, to not do so is dangerous.

The Independent MSP says there is a need for an immediate transition to renewables from oil and gas. 

This debate follows the Scottish Green's report of the same name, which says that sustainable sectors in the new economy can employ significantly more people than currently work in fossil fuel industries. 

Image source, Scottish Greens

The Jobs in Scotland's Newest Economy report, external says: "This better future won't come with tax cuts for oil corporations and trying to extract every last barrel. 

"It means changing direction - towards a rapid transition away from fossil fuels. 

 "This will require a wholescale change of UK economic policy away from austerity and toward investment in the new economy. 

 "This report shows that sustainable sectors in the new economy can employ significantly more people than currently work in fossil fuel industries. 

 "Scotland can create stable jobs for those who need them, wipe out fuel poverty, do its bit to stem climate change and re-localise economies." 

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says it is unfortunate the first oil and gas industry debate is led by a motion calling for the acceleration of the sector's demise.

Mr McArthur says the first minister's failure to meet with the energy task force is disappointing.

He says yes there needs to be a strategy for the transition to a low carbon economy and he accepts some of the oil and gas must be left in the ground.

The Lib Dem MSP says Sir Ian Wood is right when he cautions against panic reactions and oil and gas will be an integral part of the economy for some time to come. 

The oil industry, trade unions and government must work closely to get the most out of the North Sea before decommissioning, MSPs have said. 

Members of the Scottish Parliament's economy committee were responding to huge challenges in the sector caused by the drop in the price of oil. 

Image source, PA

The committee made a number of recommendations aimed at protecting North Sea jobs. It said it hoped a sustainable industry could emerge from the downturn. 

In recent months, oil has plunged to its lowest price in 12 years, with a barrel of international benchmark Brent crude dropping below $28 in Monday's trading. 

Six thousand jobs have been lost offshore - 30,000 in support industries and 30,000 in the service sector, according to one union estimate. 

Labour MSP Lesley Brennan begins her speech by thanking members for her welcome since arriving at Holyrood and by paying tribute to Richard Baker who she has "unexpectedly" replaced.

Ms Brennan will see out the remaining 9 weeks of the parliament as the next candidate on Labour's North East list.

The city councillor was Labour's candidate in Dundee East in the 2015 general election, when she turned down a donation from Tony Blair.

Image source, bbc

After being sworn in, Ms Brennan said she was "privileged" to represent the people of the North East of Scotland.

Ms Brennan says it is disappointing climate change fails to top the list of priorities for business leaders at Davos.

The Labour MSP says climate change must be addressed and it can be done so with small changes.

Ms Brennan say tackling climate change and growing the economy are not mutually exclusive, they are complimentary.

SNP MSP Mark McDonald says Scottish Renewables speaks of the leadership of the Scottish government.

Image source, bbc

Mr McDonald says we still require hydrocarbons and we must not allow the industry to decline further.

The Aberdeen Donside MSP says it is quite clear that their is a requirement to try and boost exploration activity.

Mr MacDonald calls for further development of the role of the Oil and Gas Authority 

The Scottish Labour MSP recognises that early action is required to enable Scotland's energy sector to take future opportunities, including the deployment of offshore wind and marine energy and the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas.

He calls on the Scottish Government to develop a coherent economic strategy to support renewable energy, the creation of new low-carbon jobs and the use of low-carbon technology in infrastructure development.   

Scottish Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald says while production of oil and gas from the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) is in long-term decline, the sector remains critical to the success of the Scottish economy.

Mr Macdonald highlights the importance in providing the skills, technology and experience required to enable the development of infrastructure for the low-carbon economy of the future. 

Image source, Reuters

The Labour MSP calls on the Scottish Government to undertake an urgent and detailed assessment of the impact of the current low oil price on the strength and stability of the Scottish economy. 

He agrees with the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee that it is vital for the Scottish economy that Governments, the industry and the trade unions continue to work more closely together to ensure that the objective of maximising economic recovery of oil and gas from the UKCS is fulfilled.  

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald says those who would rush to reducing oil and gas production and increase decommissioning would exacerbate the crisis. 

Mr Macdonald says the oil and gas sector is one of the pillars of the Scottish economy.

He says the job loss tally continues to rise and this has a knock on affect in and around Aberdeen.

The North East Labour MSP says we cannot talk about the transition to a low carbon economy and oil and gas sector in isolation.

He says a transition driven by crisis and dislocation would be unjust.

The Labour MSP calls for an urgent review of the impact of the low oil price.

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser says Mr Harvie's motion is "a downbeat and depressing view of a sector that is still important to the Scottish economy".

Mr Harvie intervenes saying "burning all the oil and gas is not compatible with our survival".

Image source, bbc

Mr Fraser says there are many other uses for hydrocarbons, they are not all burned. 

The Conservative MSP says the nature of the oil and gas industry is cyclical.