THE Scottish government’s green credentials came under renewed scrutiny today after it extended a fracking licence and supported expanding aviation.

The Scottish Greens warned that Nicola Sturgeon’s declaration of a climate emergency would be “meaningless” unless her government took stronger action.

“Warm words will not address global climate change,” the party’s transport spokesman John Finnie said.

Earlier this year petrochemicals giant Ineos lost a court challenge to a Scottish government moratorium against fracking for oil and gas.

But this week the government extended a onshore petroleum exploration and development licence for the same company — permitting fracking for another year.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “It is very disappointing that the Scottish government has yet to deliver a watertight legal ban.

“Despite the fact Ineos lost its legal challenge against the Scottish government’s moratorium, ministers feel obliged to renew its licence to explore for unconventional gas.”

He said the extension added “to the confusion about whether they are committed to banning fracking at all.”

Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse said the extension of the licence “does not change the Scottish government’s preferred policy position of not supporting the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland.”

Meanwhile, responding to questions from MSPs, SNP Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said the government would “continue to support airports to grow the number of direct routes which are important for business and inbound tourism.”

Mr Matheson also emphasised that the government had doubled investment in walking and cycling projects.

“Only last month Michael Matheson admitted that there was no chance of us meeting the target of having 10 per cent of everyday journeys to be made by bike by 2020,” Mr Finnie retorted.

“We’re only at 2 per cent.

“Then he voted against Scottish Green proposals to restrict speeds in our towns, making active travel safer.

“The Scottish government also appear to want to pursue continuous growth of aviation. They tell us they’ll come up with a climate change plan in six months, but meanwhile they support an expansion of Heathrow while our airports compete for new capacity.

“Declaring a climate emergency is meaningless unless the Scottish government also has the will to address the main contributors to it.”