WWF Scotland calls for 'bolder' low carbon projects

Public support for a low carbon future should encourage Scottish ministers to back bolder projects to tackle climate change, according to WWF Scotland.

The environmental charity said ambitious new policies were needed to reduce emissions.

It has surveyed 1,000 people - with 61% agreeing the Scottish government should invest in low carbon initiatives that reduce emissions.

Ministers said Scotland was a world leader on climate change.

The Scottish Parliament's environment, climate change and land reform committee is due to discuss Scotland's progress towards meeting its greenhouse gas emissions targets later.

Polling data, released by WWF Scotland, suggested about 61% of the public agree "the Scottish government should invest in projects that reduce emissions, like public transport and affordable heat networks, to create a low carbon Scotland".

'More testing target'

The charity's director Lang Banks said: "With the majority of Scots supporting a low carbon future for Scotland, ministers should feel confident in bringing in policies which will help us to meet our challenging climate targets while also creating new jobs across the country.

"It's great that Scotland has met its 42% emissions reduction target six years early but we know bolder policies are needed.

"The Scottish government's forthcoming climate action plan needs to bring forward ambitious new policies in sectors such as heat, housing and transport if we're to continue to bring down our carbon emissions and reap the economic and social benefits of doing so."

The latest report from the Committee on Climate Change, published last week, showed greenhouse gas emissions fell further in Scotland than the rest of the UK in 2014.

It was the first year annual targets had been met, with net emissions falling by 13%.

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said a new draft Climate Change Plan - published this winter - will build on progress already made.

Responding to the Committee on Climate Change's report, she said the government accepted that more needed to be done to meet "ambitious future targets".

She added: "In response to the historic Paris Agreement, we will outline proposals for a new climate change bill, including a new and more testing target for 2020, in early 2017."