MSP Alexander Stewart MBE this week praised WWF Scotland for its “bold and ambitious” climate action plan for the country.

The non-governmental World Wide Fund for Nature was exhibiting at Holyrood when the Mid Scotland and Fife representative heard about its new publication titled 'Scotland's Climate Action Plan'.

The MSP explained: “This document should set a target to source at least 50 per cent of Scotland's energy from renewables from 2030 with individual targets for each of the heat, transport and electricity sectors.”

He said that according to research commissioned by the organisation, this would put Scotland on course to meet climate change targets in a cost-minimal way.

And added it would be achievable by increasing the share of renewables in each sector; 143 per cent for electricity, 40 per cent for heat and 18 per cent for transport.

The MSP continued: “The WWF climate action plan should dramatically improve the energy efficiency of all our homes and buildings.

“By introducing minimum standards for energy efficiency in private homes and by setting a target of bringing all homes to an EPC ‘C’ Standard by 2025, the WWF say 'we can ensure that no one lives in a cold, damp home'. Such a move could also improve public health and create up to 9,000 jobs.

“Implementing and fully funding the promised National Infrastructure Priority on energy efficiency for all buildings as soon as possible is a vital step in reaching a zero carbon future – and for this hugely proactive initiative, I wholeheartedly congratulate the World Wide Fund for Nature.”