New research unveiled today paints a bleak picture of Scotland in 2050 if action is not taken now to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

The research, commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust, finds that more than one in three Scots (34%) think Scotland will need its own Carbon Police Force.

A quarter also believe the worst environmental offenders will be forced to go to energy rehab and take energy addiction classes while 58% think that by 2050 the Government will enforce tough laws to make Scots reach environmental targets.

The survey of 2159 people across the UK, including 184 living in Scotland, was commissioned as part of the EST's report, 'Emission Impossible? A vision for a low carbon lifestyle by 2050', launched today.

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In it, the independent environmental organisation outlines the major steps that need to be taken for the UK to reduce its carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent by 2050. The report shows that if we take simple actions now we can meet long term carbon reduction targets without damaging our quality of life.

These include carbon-cutting measures which address: the way our homes are built, the source of energy we use, the product choices we make, how we travel, our day-to-day behaviour, our use of water, how we use resources and deal with waste.

Mike Thornton, director, Scotland for the EST, said: "People in Scotland are concerned that the imperative to save carbon to avoid climate change will mean that by 2050 we could have severe infringements to our civil liberties. This need not be the case.

"The carbon emissions we all produce from our homes and travel amount to 43% of the UK's total emissions so we do all have a part to play. Our report outlines the EST's vision for achieving a low-carbon lifestyle by 2050 where we meet our 80% reduction targets without adopting austere lifestyles or making unpleasant personal sacrifices."

(GK/JM)