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

Climate activists protesting outside Bute House last week after the government scrapped a target to cut emissions by 75% before 2030. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

From the collapse of its ambitious target to cut carbon emissions by 75% by 2030, to the mothballing of a world-leading deposit return scheme for drinks containers, 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 as first minister, 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.