Protection for Scotland's environment could be included in the written constitution of an independent Scotland, it has been announced.

The move would be one of five green gains of independence that Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead outlined in his speech at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on Wednesday night.

Mr Lochhead highlighted how an independent Scotland could continue to build on the environmental successes of devolution.

The five green gains of independence are:

• Enshrining environmental protection in a written constitution

• Creating a nuclear-free nation

• A fairer share of EU funding to target at environmental schemes

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• Direct representation in Europe, with the opportunity to drive the policy agenda and help Europe meet its own challenges

• A seat at the global top table to show international leadership in tackling climate change and championing climate justice.

Mr Lochhead said: "Scotland is a nation of stunning scenery and vast natural resources – including a significant share of Europe's green energy potential. Independence offers the opportunity to create a greener, cleaner, nuclear-free Scotland which is a world leader in tackling climate change and championing climate justice.

"The latest evidence from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is that human activity is changing the global climate. We are seeing more extreme weather here in Scotland and across the world. But it is not too late to make the right choices.

"We have already achieved much under devolution but are being held back by the current constitutional settlement. In contrast, independence offers five big green gains.

"An independent Scotland will not waste billions of pounds on nuclear weapons and can be free from new nuclear power. Our vision for Scotland is to make the most of Scotland's extraordinary green energy assets to deliver a secure, sustainable energy future."

(JP)