Alex Salmond has claimed that abandoning North Sea oil production would be a “betrayal” of the workforce in the region and damage the independence cause.
In a clear attack on the SNP and Greens, who are expected to go into government together, he blasted “student politics masquerading as coalition building” on fossil fuels.
Salmond, first minister between 2007 and 2014, is now fronting the pro-independence Alba following his bitter fall out with Nicola Sturgeon.
Alba performed poorly at the Holyrood election and the SNP and Greens are poised to share power in the Government.
A key element of the deal is combating the climate crisis and the agreement has been hailed by the Greens for its embrace of active travel.
Green co-leader Patrick Harvie also hailed Sturgeon's more sceptical position on plans for the Cambo oil field near Shetland.
Salmond, whose commitment to oil was a feature of his independence white paper in 2014, has criticised the two parties.
He said the climate emergency has “rightly taken centre stage” as the “greatest issue the world must confront”, but he said: "The future of North Sea, the communities it benefits, the jobs it supports, and the economic advantage to Scotland merits much more serious consideration than what currently looks like student politics masquerading as coalition building.
“It is perfectly possible to reconcile hydrocarbon development with a zero carbon future, just as it’s possible to decarbonise transport without stopping essential road building.
“If I had placed Government in the hands of the Green Party, there would currently be no Forth Crossing and no Aberdeen Western Peripheral Road.
He added: “Abandoning the North Sea would be a betrayal of the workforce and used by opponents to damage the independence case which for many decades has focussed on developing our country’s huge natural resources.”
Following Sturgeon’s call for Westminster to “reassess” Cambo, he said:
“Dodging the debate by leaving it to Westminster is even worse, sending out the debilitating message that Scotland is not capable of taking the big decisions for ourselves.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Greens hit back: “It’s just three months since Alex Salmond and his band of political misfits were sent packing at the ballot box by the people of Scotland.
"As a result of our record election result, Scottish Green Party members will have the opportunity to build a brighter future for Scotland by voting for a transformational co-operation agreement this weekend.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “The SNP is fully committed to a just transition to net zero so that no industry or community is left behind and our proposed relationship with the Green Party does not change that.”
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