Ambitious proposals to ensure Scotland meets tough European climate change targets were unveiled by First Minister Alex Salmond in Inverness today.

The Scottish Government's Renewable Energy Framework includes proposals for a tenfold increase in the levels of renewable energy used for heat and transport in Scotland.

The new blueprint for a cleaner, greener Scotland aims to capitalise on the country's rich renewable energy resources, attract jobs and investment, while meeting the EU target of 20% of energy to come from renewables by 2020.

The plans are also supplemented by £2m of new funding for the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme.

The First Minister launched the Framework at the Scottish School of Forestry, which utilises Scotland's forestry resources for sustainable biomass energy.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "The Renewable Energy Framework takes us closer to our vision of Scotland becoming the green energy capital of Europe by maximising the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy.

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"Almost half of the energy used in Scotland goes towards heating and hot water. This Framework proposes a tenfold increase in heat energy from renewables to stimulate a diverse and vibrant heat market."

The Framework proposes an increase in the use of renewable fuel for transport from less than 1% to 10% to reduce carbon emissions.

"In recent weeks I have announced £1bn of investment in renewable projects including the Clyde windfarm, Crystal Rig windfarm and Scottish Power's plans to use the Pentland Firth to generate green electricity.

"I am confident we will meet our interim target of 31% of our electricity from renewables by 2011 and with our rich renewables resources we could exceed the 50 per cent target by 2020," the First Minister said.

The First Minister was in Inverness to address the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, where he outlined the importance of the area in achieving these energy targets.

First Minister continued: "Renewable energy offers huge opportunities for rural communities and economies. Despite the bleak global outlook, the Highlands and Islands have a very bright future thanks to the area's rich natural resources.

"Scotland's renewables sector is going from strength-to-strength, and this combined with the publication the Scottish Government's Renewable Energy Framework will see the area become - quite literally - the powerhouse of Europe."

(GK/JM)