THE Scottish Greens called on Westminster today to “wake up to the reality of the climate crisis” and change course on fossil fuels instead of “dragging us towards environmental disaster.”

The challenge followed publication of the Scottish government’s draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition document, which calls for a halt to new oil and gas exploration licences and outlines plans for Scotland to lead a transition to renewables.

The strategy includes ideas to increase the country’s renewable electricity generation capacity by 20 gigawatts (GW) over the next seven years, equivalent to nearly 50 per cent of current demand, the Scottish Greens said.

Scottish Greens energy and environment spokesman Mark Ruskell said: “With Scottish Greens in government we are entering an exciting new chapter in the growth of Scotland’s renewables and our transition away from fossil fuels.

“This week Scotland took a big step towards a fairer, greener and better future for people and planet. It’s time for Westminster to do the same.

“Even as the world burns, the UK government has committed to approving 100 new oil and gas exploration licences and is opening the first new coalmine for 30 years.

“These are not the actions of a government that is taking its climate responsibilities remotely seriously. Instead they are dragging us into climate destruction.”

Ami McCarthy, of Greenpeace, said the British government could learn from the Scotland Strategy in areas including ending fossil fuel licensing and transition to renewables.

The British government has been approached for comment.