The Scottish Greens are calling for a change to the way the country's homes are heated.

The party's energy spokesman, Mark Ruskell, has written to Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse calling for action.

In the letter Mr Ruskell also calls for a ban on fossil fuel heating any new-build homes by 2021, and high carbon heating to be phased out of existing buildings by 2025.

Mr Ruskell said: "While Scotland has been successful in moving to renewable electricity production, decarbonising the heating of our homes must now be the urgent priority for the Scottish Government.

"The solutions are available. Efficient electric heating with heat pumps can slash bills and emissions, whilst district heat networks are not a new idea.

"Four out of five Scottish households currently use gas central heating. Why on earth are we building more, when keeping Scotland's buildings warm accounts for around half of all energy consumption and climate emissions?

"It's not enough to say it's a climate emergency. We need governments to act, and warm, affordable and zero-carbon homes for all must be an urgent priority."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "There is no bigger priority than tackling climate change, and Scotland is already well recognised as a world leader in doing so. We are committed to end Scotland's contribution to climate change by 2045 at the latest.

"Renewable energy and heating will play an important role in realising those ambitions, as demonstrated by the First Minister's announcement last week of a £6 million renewable heating project in Stirling, which converts waste water into energy for local businesses and public buildings.

"We also recently announced £17 million in Scottish Government loan funding to help homeowners become more energy efficient."