Tens of thousands of new jobs could be created in Scotland in the next five years under plans to invest in greener technology.

The jobs would stem from a major expansion in the number of companies developing state-of-the-art ways to tackle pollution, manage waste and reduce carbon.

Endorsing the Environmental and Clean Technologies (ECT) Action Plan today, Minister for Environment Roseanna Cunningham said: "We are on the brink of a greener business revolution in Scotland which has the potential to create tens of thousands of new jobs.

"We need to continue developing clean, green technologies to make this revolution happen.

"Under the ambitious plans published today, the next five years will see an explosion in the sector which will deliver a huge boost to the economy as well as major environmental improvements," she said.

The ECT Action Plan has been developed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council. They will work together to develop a three-year ECT Strategy form 2010-13.

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It will join-up public sector support for companies wanting to develop green technologies, moving away from the current ad hoc nature of investment.

Current examples of ECT businesses in Scotland include H2Ology Ltd, a Borders-based business which has developed a solution for road sweepers and gully cleaners.

The Advanced Treatment System (ATS) it has developed enables local authorities and contractors to recycle around 90 per cent of the waste collected. In addition, rainwater is harvested from roofs to wash and fill the trucks.

In Tayside, the Binn Eco-Innovation Park is using advanced technologies to create heat from waste and then use this heat to produce local food.

When conventional methods failed to help a multi-national business stop contaminating the water at their Middle Eastern facility, it called in Catalysystems Ltd. The Aberdeen-based company's technological expertise is helping the multi-national meet local discharge limits.

SEPA Chairman David Sigsworth said: "I am delighted that SEPA is helping develop Scotland's environmental and clean technologies sector, growing our share of this fast-moving global market and creating jobs and wealth, while protecting and improving our environment."

Jan Reid, Senior Manager for Enabling Technologies at Scottish Enterprise, added: "Businesses across Scotland have the opportunity to grow through developing new clean, green technologies. Scottish Enterprise is keen to maximise the support available to companies and this partnership is an excellent example of public partners coming together to support the development of the Scottish economy."

(GK/BMcC)