The SNP's Karen Adam has called out Westminster for being "all talk and no action" in the journey towards net-zero while hailing a new Scottish Government scheme.
The MSP's comments come after a new fund was announced for the North East of Scotland to help businesses, communities and individuals work towards a goal of net-zero.
The fund, aiming to boost the economy while reducing carbon impact of industry, will open for expression of interest next week.
Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, said the Tories had "well and truly abandoned the North East and Moray" and credited the Scottish Government with "stepping up".
Over the next year, £20 million will be made available to create low carbon jobs and enhance its future prosperity.
Of this £20 million, £1m will be pumped into communities in the North East and Moray and will be made readily available through a ‘participatory budgeting mechanism’, allowing for communities to design and vote on projects.
Over the next 10-years, the £500m fund, called Just Transition Fund, will be dispersed amongst projects that are aiming to achieve net zero, as stated in the Bute House Agreement.
Adam added: “The need for an energy transition is so vital for us up here, it's our jobs and our livelihoods.”
Scottish Greens North East Scotland MSP Maggie Chapman said: “The Scottish Greens secured the £500million just transition fund as a key component of the Bute House Agreement, and I am delighted that communities in the north east will play a role in determining how this fund is allocated.
"As Scotland transitions to a renewable powered economy it is vital that the workers and communities who have been intrinsic to the success of the oil and gas sector for decades are at the forefront of designing Scotland’s industrial future.”
The Just Transition Fund will be made available on 31 May, and information on how to partake can be found on the Scottish Government’s website.
