CLIMATE activist Greta Thunberg rejected today the SNP’s claims that Scotland is ahead of the game on climate change.

The country aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, which SNP ministers say is “world-leading.”

But the Swedish teenager told the BBC Scotland: “There are some countries that do a bit more than others, but there are no countries in the global North doing close to what would be needed.”

Ms Thunberg — who sparked the Fridays For Future protest movement — expressed doubts about the Scottish government’s new power sharing deal with the Scottish Greens, which sees the party in government for the first time anywhere in Britain.

“Of course, there might be some politicians that are slightly less worse than others. That was very mean, but you get the point.

“It’s a hopeful sign that people want something that’s more ‘green’ — but in order to solve this, we need to tackle this [with] a more systemic approach.”

The 18-year-old also criticised First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s inaction over plans for the new Cambo oil field west of Shetland, ahead of the COP26 United Nations summit in Glasgow later this year.

“I think that maybe summarises the whole situation we are in,” she said. “The fact that [the country] actually hosting COP is planning to expand fossil fuel infrastructure. 

“It’s not just that we need to stop future expansions. We also need to scale down existing ones if we are to have a chance of avoiding the worst consequences.”

Ms Thunberg said she was unsure as to whether she will attend November’s conference, but is hopeful to “see we have a huge potential of achieving change.

“Change will come when there are enough people on the streets demanding change.”

Yesterday, Police Scotland said officers would receive “public order training” as part of a “human rights-based approach” to policing demonstrations at the summit.

About 10,000 officers will be deployed on each day of the conference, making it one of the largest policing operations ever undertaken in Britain. 

Deputy chief constable Will Kerr said: “Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation that puts our values of integrity, fairness and respect at the heart of everything we do.”

However, those planning to “disrupt the life of the city” would face the “fullest range of tactics available,” he said, in an ominous warning to protesters.