THE Scottish Greens will today set a target of winning 10 more MSPs at the next Holyrood election to help accelerate action on climate change.

Opening a two-day conference in Inverness, co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater will claim the party can win two list seats in each of the eight electoral regions in 2021.

The Greens currently have six MSPs and their previous best is seven.

The co-leaders will argue the party has already forced reforms to income tax, stopped council cuts, helped ban smacking and introduced local taxes.

But it says more MSPs are needed to help drive through the short-term measures needed to make drastic cuts to emissions and achieve a zero-carbon economy.

Ms Slater will say: “Only the Greens understand the climate emergency, know what needs to be done, and are determined enough to deliver transformative change.

“Every one of the 16 candidates we announce today can be elected in 2021. Just imagine the hope this could give us. The power to take the action needed to save the planet and build a new Scotland. Our time is now.

“In 2021, we can win. We can lead the way with a vision for a Green and Independent Scotland.”

The party will call for a doubling of Scotland’s forest cover to bring it in line with the EU average to create thousands of rural jobs as part of a Green New Deal.

Around 19 per cent of Scotland is forested; the EU average is 40%.

Recent research found forestry can provide a job per every 42 hectares, compared to one for every 183 ha for agriculture and one for every 330 ha for grouse shooting.

After visiting the Scottish School of Forestry near Inverness yesterday, MSP Ross Greer said: “Forestry careers require a level of expertise that is not yet being met across the country. “The Scottish Government’s current rate of reforestation would meet the EU average in 150 years, but even at that snail’s pace, it will need more investment to meet the skills gaps in the sector.”

The conference will also debate the future of social security at conference, with a proposal to let immigrants access universal credit and other reforms intended to create a fairer system

Hinting at higher taxes on the better-off, MSP Alison Johnstone said: “The UK Government has taken a sledgehammer to social security provision over recent years leaving the most vulnerable people in our communities in dire straight.

“It is vital the dignity and respect is at the heart of our social security system. I am extremely proud to have brought forward significant changes to make our system work better, including ending unnecessary face-to-face assessments for people claiming devolved disability benefits.

“More fundamentally Scotland needs a social security system that meets the needs of everyone in our society. A universal basic income would ensure that absolutely everyone received an allowance to meet their basic needs.

“It’s clear we can go further in this regard, ensuring a fairer taxation regime, funding a fairer social security system.”