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The majority of Scots want to see the nation shift towards net zero energy, a study has found.
Almost seven out of 10 (69%) of Scots believe decisions on oil and gas should be made on a case-by-case basis, and 63% said there should be more investment in renewable energy.
The findings were part of a report featuring research by PF Global and IPPR Scotland.
The report, Allies for Delivery: Rebuilding Faith in Scottish Politics via the North Sea, found 15% of Scots want restrictions on new North Sea fields axed, while 11% want drilling to end immediately.
More than four out of 10 (42%) Scots say they trust the SNP Government to deliver its manifesto on net zero.
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A quarter said they trust Scottish Labour, and 27% believe the Greens can be trusted, and more than 50% said they would not trust Reform UK or the Conservatives on net zero.
Almost half (49%) of Scots believe the nation’s political figures are ineffective, with 32% stating the opposite, and 53% believed politicians put their own needs first rather than the needs of the people.
Almost nine out of 10 (84%) of Scots believe the environment is one of the nation’s most important parts, and 61% said it is important to move towards net zero.
Almost four out of five (77%) said the Scottish Government must invest in towns affected by the closure of oil and gas refineries, where job losses can be expected as a result of the transition.
The report said there must be a cross-party agenda within this parliamentary term to provide a North East transition, a warm homes and lower bills package, and a skills passport and apprenticeship guarantee.
Additionally, it said there must be a clear plan for local economic benefit from ScotWind, investment in ports, colleges and supply chains, as well as a public dashboard tracking transition jobs and investment.
David Hawkey, senior research fellow, IPPR Scotland, said: “Arguments about North Sea oil and gas often miss the point that the hypermature basin will never return to production levels of old times.
“Communities in the North East of Scotland need a concrete plan for jobs, skills and investment to transition to a post-fossil fuel economy, and our research shows the public will back a government that delivers one.”
Daisy Powell-Chandler, a partner at PF Global, said: “Scottish politics is fragmenting, but our research shows a clear majority still exists for practical delivery.
“This minority SNP government is uniquely placed to build it by bringing the Greens, Labour and the Liberal Democrats together behind a programme on energy, the environment and climate.
“Voters are not asking for less ambition. They want proof alongside it: lower bills, secure jobs and visible investment in the North East of Scotland.
“A managed, honest transition is where climate ambition and everyday concerns meet, and it is the best chance this Parliament has to show it can deliver.”
SNP MSP Dawn Black said: “Scotland is an energy superpower. With our vast clean resources and skilled workforce we should be at the centre of the transition to renewable energy – a fact clearly recognised by the majority of Scots.
“Successive Westminster governments have abandoned our energy industry – after treating our resources as a cash cow for decades they are now hammering the sector with its tax on our energy costing over 1,000 jobs every single month.
“Under the Labour Party, unfair transmission charges are ruining investment in Scottish offshore wind, the UK Government blocked plans for the UK’s largest turbine factory in the Highlands and bills are set to be over £1,000 more than we were promised two years ago.
“People shouldn’t be fearing putting the heating on in energy-rich Scotland this winter but that is the exact scenario facing thousands of Scots right now. This shows exactly why Scotland needs to have control of our own energy and why with the fresh start of independence we can lower bills, secure jobs and investment.”
Scottish Tory MSP Liam Kerr said: “Everyone recognises the need to reduce emissions, but the SNP and Labour’s net zero targets are completely unrealistic, risk raising bills and could jeopardise energy security.
“They will result in punitive measures being imposed on hard-pressed Scots as they desperately try to stay on course.
“Both of Scotland’s governments are also still failing to recognise that oil and gas and new drilling in the North Sea will be key in any net-zero transition for decades to comes, and the jobs the sector supports.
“The Scottish Conservatives will ensure any transition protects jobs and our energy security, and doesn’t result in more rising bills for Scots.”
Reform UK Scotland MSP Duncan Massey said: “Net Zero is a failed policy that has resulted in amongst the highest energy costs in the world, driving deindustrialisation in this country whilst merely exporting activity abroad. It has come at the expense of the livelihoods of working people, who feel the impact of deindustrialisation as well as the rising costs of everyday goods.
“In addition, promised jobs in renewables are simply not emerging at the pace, scale, location or rate of pay to compensate for jobs lost in other industries. Despite this the SNP continues to double down on Net Zero as Scots are left to watch good paying industrial jobs disappear at home whilst the jobs get exported abroad.
“Reform recognises the potential for industrial renewal including a vibrant oil and gas sector that maximises jobs and recovery from our own basin. We will always put people ahead of the Net Zero erosion of UK industry.”
The Scottish Government, and the remainder of Scotland’s major political parties, were approached for comment.