**Wake Up Call for the Energy Transition: Scotland’s Renewables Fall Short of Oil and Gas Decline**

A stark warning from MPs highlights the growing gap in job creation within the renewable energy sector as Scotland faces a significant decline in its North Sea oil and gas industry. The Scottish Affairs Committee reports that without urgent action from both Holyrood and Westminster, communities will suffer as the country shifts away from fossil fuels. More than 400 jobs were lost with the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery, underscoring a pressing need for planning and support during this transition.

The UK government commits to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while the Scottish government aims for a more ambitious target of 2045. In response to persistent failures to meet interim goals, the committee calls for a slowdown in moving away from oil and gas production, emphasizing the need for domestic energy sourcing to retain essential skilled labor and prevent job losses to foreign markets.

Significant concerns arise regarding the impact of the current tax regime on the oil and gas sector—set at a hefty 78%, which is predicted to hasten the decline of local industries. The committee advocates for reform of the windfall tax and a more pragmatic licensing approach for new drilling, which the UK government has currently banned.

Consequently, Scotland’s ability to produce more electricity from renewable sources than from fossil fuels highlights a shift in energy dynamics, yet the MPs stress that oil and gas will remain vital for decades to come. Chairwoman Patricia Ferguson insists on a clear transition plan for workers and industries reliant on fossil fuels to mitigate the effects of job losses.

The report concludes with a call for the UK and Scottish governments to act decisively to support the energy workforce and outline a strategy that benefits communities amid the ongoing transition to greener energy solutions, which promise extensive job growth. Both governments must now reconcile the past and engage proactively to ensure a prosperous energy future for Scotland.