The UK Government is committed to meeting Scottish climate change targets, but it will require further growth in all forms of renewable energy, Scottish Renewables (SR) has said.

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, made the comments in response to a speech from the Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), John Crindland.

Mr Crindland, speaking at a conference on climate change in Paris, spoke out on the UK Government's attitude towards the 'green economy'.

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He said: "Today's investors are more uncertain about the UK's low-carbon future.

"From the roll-back of renewables to the mixed messages on energy efficiency, these changes send a worrying signal about the UK as a place for low-carbon investment."

Mr Stuart said: "Less established technologies like offshore wind and renewable heat will require financial support for some more time, just like nuclear and carbon capture and storage, but larger scale onshore wind and solar projects could actually compete with new gas plants if they are able to continue to access long term contracts for clean power.

"With wind and solar now significantly cheaper than new nuclear power, and with costs set to fall further if we can give longer term certainty, it makes no sense to leave them as the only form of electricity generation without any form of public support."

(LM/MH)