The Scottish Greens have pledged to slash “traditional, dirty fuel” in favour of renewables if elected on May 5.
The party’s manifesto, launched in Edinburgh, argues Scotland’s dependence on the oil and gas sector “has to end … if we are to limit the effects of climate change”.
Instead, the party suggests a “sustainable energy revolution” will “protect the skills and strengths of our workforce and businesses” – a view the Scottish Liberal Democrats branded “ridiculous”.
But the Greens have stopped short of calling for a shutting down of the North Sea altogether, indicating that 50% of Scotland’s energy use should come from renewables by 2030 – a move they claim would create 200,000 jobs.
Other policy proposals outlined in the manifesto include a new 60% top-rate of income tax, scrapping of the council tax and a commitment to Scotland becoming independent.
Opinion polls the Scottish Greens could be on course for their best ever election performance, with some surveys suggesting they could win as many as eight seats.
Rival political parties – including the SNP, Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Liberal Democrats – are expected to launch their manifestos in the coming days.
Co-convener Patrick Harvie said: “The Scottish Greens have a track record of achievement.
“In the last session of parliament we pushed SNP ministers for bolder action on everything from land reform and rent controls to fracking and fan ownership of football clubs.
“With fellow candidates on the campaign trail in recent weeks I have seen how we are tapping into a public appetite for a Scottish Parliament that is bolder in its actions.
“Our high calibre candidates are ready to get to work in Holyrood, delivering great results for communities the length and breadth of this country.”
But a spokeswoman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats said: “Patrick Harvie and his green-fingered brigade’s whispers from the forest aren’t radical, they are ridiculous.
“If their plans to entice oil and gas workers to become lumberjacks weren’t bad enough, they seem to think just 100,000 signatures backing independence should trigger another referendum.”
