Nova Scotia's largest environmental group has published a study that envisions a province where more than 40 per cent of cars are hybrids or electric, heat pumps are widespread and imported electricity replaces coal.

The report, commissioned by the Ecology Action Centre, assumes a future without coal-fired generation by 2030.

It argues "an effective emergency response to reducing carbon emissions" needs to occur in an era when leading climate scientists have warned carbon use must be limited to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5 C.