‘There is despair’: fears for Scotland’s green policies as power-sharing ends

Climate groups and Greens co-leader say climate policies risk being sidelined or buried by SNP

• Next first minister will need centre-left allies, says Scottish Greens’ Harvie

From the collapse of its ambitious climate target to cut carbon emissions by 75% by 2030, to the mothballing of a world-leading deposit return scheme, the much-heralded environmental objectives of the Scottish government appear to be falling apart.

As political opponents gather to exploit the fallout from Humza Yousaf’s departure, amid admissions he mishandled his Green party coalition partners, more long-term but pressing climate and environmental policies risk being sidelined at best, and buried at worst.