THE Scottish government must tackle the serious financial pressures facing councils if it is to achieve its net zero carbon emissions targets, a cross-party group of MSPs has warned. 

Holyrood’s net zero, energy and transport committee said local authorities are best placed to help Scotland hit the ambitious climate goals by 2045.

But due to a lack of cash in the austerity-hit sector, councils need “significant support in accessing skills and capital” to do so, the committee stressed.