Scotland should be meeting all its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2057, the Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) has urged in its Scottish election manifesto.

The Alliance says that climate change is a “crucial issue” for rural Scotland and country sports, and has called on the Executive to make a “massive increase” in funding for research and development into renewable energies.

But SCA chief executive Tony Andrews warned that measures like windfarms risk damaging the environment, rather than helping preserve it:

“Climate change is real. It threatens the rural environment and economy and that is why we have placed carbon reduction and renewable energy at the centre of our manifesto for the Holyrood elections. Onshore windfarms are a divisive issue in rural Scotland. We risk spoiling our landscape, which draws tourists from across the world, and undermining our valuable rural sports.

“Instead, we must employ the full range of renewable technologies including wave, tidal and biomass as well as micro-renewables for individual homes and businesses. A thriving renewables sector will help Scotland reduce its carbon footprint and boost the rural economy.”

The manifesto also includes a call for an official, government-backed ‘Buy Scottish’ campaign, a reduction in business rates for rural businesses, and a greater appreciation of the contribution that country sports like shooting, hunting and angling make to landscape and biodiversity conservation.

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