THE cooperation agreement between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government is an historic moment.

It represents a new model for politics in Holyrood, one which respects difference but promotes collaboration, which focuses the work of government on the climate emergency and begins to build a sustainable future for Scotland.

Creating a framework that allows parties with different ideas to work together has never been more important than it is now.

Last month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirmed what we've long since known. The climate is in crisis and we have very little time to fix it.

This deal puts Greens at the heart of government for the first time in the UK and will help us deliver the kind of crucial change we need to see.

While the global scientific community agrees that the climate emergency is real and urgent, the Tories determination to extract every drop of oil as the world burns suggests they haven't got the message.

They happy to adopt a head in the sand approach Scottish Greens refuse to sit by and watch an avoidable catastrophe devastate communities throughout Scotland, Britain, and the world. Yes, the situation is bad, but the race isn't run yet.

This deal has a just transition at its heart. Meaningful action on climate change doesn't need to mean sacrifice, instead it can create myriad opportunities for new jobs and industries which are sustainable and provide benefits for everyone.

The agreement will deliver a radical new deal for tenants. For the first time Scotland will have a meaningful system of rent controls, protecting tenants from extortionate rent increases and helping ensure people have access to good quality housing at a reasonable price.

On top of that it contains plans to decarbonise the way we heat our homes, improving energy efficiency, tackling fuel poverty and creating new jobs.

While the climate crisis is a pressing priority for Scotland, and the world, the agreement also sets out a range of exciting commitments in other areas. This includes taking the first step to establishing a National Care Service, which ensures everyone gets the social care they need and that care workers are well compensated for their vital work.

It commits to significant investment in mental health services, improvements to the Scottish Child Payments to help tackle child poverty, big steps forward in education and a concerted effort to restore Scotland's natural environment which has been in decline for years.

The Nature Restoration Fund will be expanded, and we've set ambitious targets to halt extinctions and reverse the declines in wildlife.

The climate and nature emergencies are an unprecedented threat to all of us, so there's no doubt this parliament will have to answer difficult questions.

But while there will be challenges there are also opportunities to create a better, fairer Scotland for all of us. The status quo has been failing for decades.

We want to be part of the solution and we'll work tirelessly in parliament and in government to build a future that is bright, green and sustainable.