16 Nov 2010 12:11:18

Scottish green growth strategy 'could create 60,000 jobs'

The Scottish government has released its strategy for a low carbon economy, in which it predicts the creation of up to 60,000 green jobs by 2020.

John Swinney, cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth, said Scotland has a number of competitive advantages which will allow it to become a leader in the global low carbon market.

A key focus of the strategy will be to use public resources to support low carbon industries and create new partnerships with both private sector and international organisations.

This includes the rechanneling of support and match funding from the private sector, which could potentially create £60 million for the low carbon economy.

Plans are also in place to hold an annual Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference, which will focus on investment in both resource and energy efficiency in 2011.

Mr Swinney said: "Moving to a low carbon economy is an economic and environmental imperative - it is Scotland's biggest opportunity this century."

This is the latest in a series of policy announcements about the low carbon economy from the Scottish government, which earlier this month created a £70 million renewable energy infrastructure fund.