The SNP’s net zero agenda is “unrealistic and unaffordable”, the Scottish Conservatives have said.
At First Minister’s Questions, Russell Findlay criticised proposals from the Nationalists’ climate advisers to force people to ditch petrol cars, rip out gas boilers and change their diets.
Findlay said it would be madness to reduce cattle numbers in Scotland by more than two million.
He said it’s not remotely realistic for the SNP to expect the proportion of homes with heat pumps to increase from less than one per cent to almost 70 per cent.
The Scottish Conservative leader said it would devastate Scotland’s economy to reduce oil and gas production by 91 per cent.
Findlay said there would be a crippling cost to hard-working families and businesses if these policies were imposed.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “The SNP have missed their eco targets for years. Their expert advisers now confirm that the only way to reach net zero by 2045 is by imposing radical and financially devastating policies.
“If John Swinney sticks to his target, he has to be honest with the people of Scotland about the price he expects them to pay.
“People would be forced to ditch petrol cars, rip out boilers and change their diets.
“Farmers would be expected to get rid of cattle. Scotland’s oil and gas industry would cease to exist. All of this to be paid for through higher taxes and household bills.
“None of this makes sense to people in the real world.
“It’s just not realistic or affordable.
“John Swinney should stop making promises he knows the SNP cannot keep.”