John Swinney should always remember climate change helped depose his predecessor, Humza Yousaf

The opening paragraph of the committee’s progress report on reducing emissions stated bluntly: “The Scottish Government is failing to achieve Scotland’s ambitious climate goals. Annual emissions targets have repeatedly been missed... there is still no comprehensive delivery strategy for meeting future emissions targets, and actions continue to fall far short of what is legally required.”

So it is fair to say that despite the SNP’s rhetoric on the subject – as embodied in those “ambitious” targets – their actual track record on fighting climate change leaves much to be desired. However, the announcement that the Scottish Government is investing more than £41 million on 250 zero-emission buses – on top of previous £113m of government funding – is a welcome sign that John Swinney’s administration is at least still trying.

Just as important was Swinney’s statement that every £1 of taxpayers’ money had ‘leveraged’ £3.20 of private-sector investment – the transition to net-zero is too big a task for government alone to handle.

There are at least three potential benefits from the influx of these new clean and green buses onto our streets. First, the reduction in carbon emissions will help the fight against climate change. Second, it should produce a significant reduction in air pollution along the routes. And third, it pushes Scotland further towards its economic future.

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The faster we moves towards net-zero, the greater the business opportunities will be. For example, more electric vehicles means greater demand for faster and better charging points. A Scottish company set up to make them would have an opportunity to become a global player. The Green Industrial Revolution is upon us and Scotland, blessed by Atlantic winds and strong tides, is well placed to take advantage.

So the 250 buses are welcome but, amid a worldwide race to develop new industries, technologies and skills, Swinney has much more to do if he’s to avoid the trenchant criticism that helped depose his predecessor.