The Scottish Greens have accused the BBC of ignoring the climate emergency after it emerged they would not be included in the televised election debates.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie hit out at the broadcaster after it was announced Scottish leaders would be invited to a debate on December 10 – but only the SNP, Tories, Labour and the Liberal Democrats will be on the stage.

The Greens were included in the 2017 leaders’ debates along with the other four parties and UKIP.

A recent UN report has said humans have until 2030 to reverse climate change.

The Greens have stressed the importance of the new parliamentary term, which will run until 2024.

© Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Mr Harvie said: “We are electing MPs who will sit for up to half of the time climate scientists tell us we have left to tackle this crisis, and the BBC is holding a debate where everyone agrees with each other.

“All four parties support extracting fossil fuels until 2050 and beyond.

“They all want to expand major roads and aviation. Only the Greens recognise this can’t happen, so this debate is ignoring the biggest crisis facing us.”

He added: “But it’s not just on climate. The Scottish Greens are the most influential opposition party in Scotland.

“We have changed the tax system, granted new powers to councils and only last week, John Finnie’s bill on the equal protection of children received royal assent.

“To leave us out of the debate is ridiculous.”

The attack from the Scottish Greens comes after the Liberal Democrats launched a legal challenge against broadcaster ITV for excluding leader Jo Swinson from its debate, opting instead to just host the leaders of the Conservatives and Labour.