SCOTLAND’S comparative advantage in areas such as tackling climate change will be highlighted alongside the challenges its economy faces after a year of major political and economic shocks in a key lecture this evening.

Professor Graeme Roy, director of the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute, will say major events such as Brexit will bring new opportunities as well as upheaval in his Trades House lecture in Glasgow.

Professor Roy will look at the potential for Scotland to prosper in international growth markets, including new technology, and the advantage it has in tackling some of the key economic challenges it faces in the decades to come, such as climate change. The Scottish Government declared a new target in January for Scotland to produce half of its energy needs with renewable sources by 2030.

Professor Roy will use his lecture to offer his take on political events in Scotland and further afield. He will assess the performance of the Scottish economy, in recent months and over the longer term, and analyse the implications of the new financial powers devolved to Scotland.

Professor Roy said: “This lecture will cover incredibly relevant and topical issues. It is well understood that the current global political and economic environment provides challenges for Scotland, but times of uncertainty also bring opportunities and it is vital that as a country we are ready and well prepared to take advantage of them.”

Keith Brown, deacon convenor of the Trades House, said: “We live in a vastly changing and challenging world, which has implications for the economy of Scotland. The lecture will provide valuable insights into our unsettled world.”