Scottish Greens promise to 'turbo charge' journey to net zero
The party's manifesto calls for £28bn a year of extra investment to tackle the climate emergency.
www.bbc.co.ukHere’s the latest on the Scottish Greens, based on recent public reporting.
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Holyrood elections context: In early 2026, multiple outlets highlighted the Greens as aiming for a historic or record-breaking result in the Scottish Parliament elections, with leaders describing momentum and a potential breakthrough for the party. This signals continued focus on growing parliamentary representation and influence in climate and progressive policy.[1]
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Party leadership and membership: Reports in 2025 noted the Greens achieving their highest membership in several years, signaling growing grassroots support ahead of the Holyrood vote. In September 2025, the party elected a new co-leadership team (Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer), indicating ongoing leadership renewal as the party positions for the next election.[2][3]
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Electoral standing and strategy: Coverage from 2025–2026 emphasized the Greens’ pursuit of more MSPs, including efforts in the south of Scotland, and a strategy focused on rail investment and climate policy rather than road-building. Analysts framed the party as potentially expanding its seats and influence while navigating competition with other parties.[5]
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Recent campaign activity: The Greens have continued to roll out campaign messaging focused on environmental policies, with public appearances and campaign events noted in 2024–2025. Campaign launches and YouTube/press coverage reflect ongoing efforts to energize voters around net-zero and green investment priorities.[8]
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General context and background: The party’s involvement in government and subsequent shifts in its relationship with the SNP have been widely discussed, including past coalition dynamics and the post-2024 electoral performance in Scotland. This context helps explain current positioning and strategy as they seek to widen their electoral footprint.[4]
Illustration: A snapshot of the Greens’ trajectory shows rising membership through 2025, a refreshed leadership slate in 2025, and a consistent push for expansion in Holyrood, with emphasis on green investment and rail over roads.[3][2][5]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest specific polling figures, seat projections, or summarize each major candidate’s platform in the current race. I can also bundle this into a brief, cited briefing document.