Bar has been set too low say campaigners
Thousands of Scots say more ambition is needed when setting long-term climate targets.
Ministers are currently consulting on proposals for a new climate change bill, which includes increasing the 2050 target to 90% emissions reduction.
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland - a coalition of environmental, development and faith groups - said the move does not go far enough.
More than 8,000 people have responded to the consultation for the bill by calling for a rethink on the plans.
Tom Ballantine, chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: “In 2009 Scotland was setting the pace internationally when we agreed our climate targets but now people are urging the Scottish Government to keep the country on the leader board on this issue.
“The urgency of the climate crisis has grown in the intervening years and Scots want to see more done to ensure we continue to deliver leading action.”
The Scottish Government are revising their plans following the historic Paris climate deal agreed in December 2015.
Ballantine added: “The most up to date climate science clearly demonstrates that we need to rapidly cut emissions if we are to avoid catastrophic temperature increases and irreversible change. The question is not will we act, it is will we act fast enough?"
And while the Scottish Government has proposed a target of 90% reduction by 2050, this doesn’t go far enough said Ballantyne.
“It is only a minor improvement on what we were already aiming for a decade ago,” he said.
We need to rapidly cut emissions if we are to avoid catastrophic increases - Tom Ballantyne
A Scottish Government spokesman responded: “Scotland has won international praise for its global leadership on climate change and our plans will cut emissions further, while creating more jobs in the low-carbon economy.
“We have set out ambitious proposals for a new climate change bill, which includes increasing the ambition of the 2050 target in response to the international Paris agreement.
“The public consultation on these proposals is open until 22 September and we look forward to receiving views from across Scotland.”
