Scottish Government plans to transition towards a low-carbon economy are not ambitions enough, according to a coalition of environmental charities and trade unions.

The group is now calling for ministers to take bold measures to protect workers’ jobs and reduce emissions by moving away from a reliance on fossil fuels.

In a joint statement, the coalition has announced plans to push for industrial policies which could create a “just transition” to a low-carbon economy.

These include radical measures such as options for public and community ownership of projects and clauses to protect employment rights and community benefits.

Friends of the Earth (FoE) Scotland and the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) are spearheading the campaign, with support from WWF Scotland and the Unite, Unison, PCS, Ucatt, UCU and CWU unions.

It comes as MSPs draft the new Scottish energy strategy and climate change plan.

Dr Richard Dixon, FoE Scotland director, said “We should be responding to climate change in ways which protect workers’ livelihoods, create a new industrial base and deliver a fairer Scotland as well as rapidly reduce our emissions. There will be hundreds of thousands of new jobs in a low-carbon economy.

“So far we have seen good growth in renewable electricity but progress on the transformation of other parts of our economy has been slow. The forthcoming Climate Change Plan will be key.

“We need ambitious policies for decarbonising transport and heating, for example, which will also provide decent jobs, cleaner streets and warmer homes.”

Stephen Boyd, assistant general secretary of the STUC, added: “The transition to a low-carbon economy, done the right way, has the potential to increase employment and create a more dynamic and resilient economy.

“However experience to date confirms that a more active and interventionist approach will be necessary to maximise economic and employment benefits.”

The proposals will be debated at a conference in Glasgow on Tuesday.