The richest members of society must pay the most to tackle climate change and deliver social justice in Scotland and across the world, a charity chief has said.
Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland, said there was a "massive question" over who picks up the bill for the scale of change needed to limit rising temperatures.
He told the Record that investment in public transport and home insulation could help reduce emissions as well as lowering the number of Scots living in poverty.
It comes as billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos visited Glasgow today to speak at the COP26 summit.
Speaking within the Blue Zone at the UN conference on climate change, Livingstone admitted such large international events could feel disconnected to those on the outside.
But he added there were signs Glasgow residents recognised "the need to stand in solidarity with those suffering the impact of climate change".
He said: "Globally, those with the highest incomes and wealth are responsible for a massively disproportionate share of emissions.
"They drove this crisis. And unless we can tackle the emissions of the wealthiest, then we won't tackle the crisis quickly enough.
"In Scotland, particularly in the time of covid, climate action must support social justice - so finding ways that we cut emissions and also address the fact we have so many people in Scotland living in poverty.
"For example, investing heavily in public transport not only cuts emissions, but it disproportionately benefits those in poverty as they use public transport the most.
"And if we really invest in home energy insulation, we'll help tackle the scandal of extreme fuel poverty in Scotland.
"As we transition our economy, we also need to ensure the low carbon, green jobs that we need are open as many people as possible.
Livingstone added: "There's a massive question about who pays for this.
"Given those with the highest incomes drove this crisis, then it seems only right we raise the finances need to accelerate climate action by taxing those who drove the crisis.
"Not only to change their behaviour, but because we need to generate the money fast. If we don't cut our emissions fast, the 2045 target will be long gone."
"There's no doubt global events like COP can be frustrating and feel very disconnected to the real world.
"But what I am seeing is people across Scotland recognise the critical importance of these talks.
"What we are experiencing is a Glasgow welcome. Yes, there's disruption, but I think people across the city recognise the need to stand in solidarity with those suffering the impact of climate change.
"I think you'll see Glasgow living up to that long track record of challenging injustices."
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