THE man Douglas Ross appointed to look after emissions levels has slammed a potential SNP and Greens coalition as a major threat to the oil and gas sector.

Liam Kerr was appointed Scottish Conservative shadow secretary for net zero, energy and transport in May.

The role sees him cover the same ground as Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson, whose role takes in the climate crisis, renewables, energy consents and more.

As the SNP and the Greens come close to making a formal cooperation deal — it's said there's only 5% still to agree — Kerr has called the prospect "terrifying" for those working in the oil and gas sector.

He said: "The SNP government are working hand-in-hand with a party that’s happy to see thousands of hardworking families lose their jobs to suit their priorities.

"They care more about their separatist, ideological grievances than Scotland’s jobs and our wider economy and recovery.

READ MORE: UK Government to face climate activists in court over North Sea oil and gas

"The UK Government have committed £16 billion to the North Sea to support the sector into transitioning towards using cleaner and greener technologies. That will help us progress towards achieving a net zero society and support our economic recovery.

"The Scottish Conservatives will continue to stand up for vital jobs and livelihoods while doing everything possible to prevent this destructive SNP-Green agenda."

The comments come despite a Green manifesto commitment to a just transition which would include retraining for workers in North Sea fossil fuels jobs as the econmy is steered away from polluting activities.

They also come despite assurances given in the chamber by the First Minister in June, when Jackie Dunbar MSP asked her: "What assurances can the First Minister provide to my constituents who work in the oil and gas sector that no one will be left behind as we make a necessary and just transition to renewable energy?"

Sturgeon replied: "I grew up in Ayrshire in the 1970s and 1980s and saw first-hand the impact when a government did not care about protecting individuals and communities from the impact of economic transformations. We must not make that mistake again.

"Failing to plan for the transition to net zero is not an option, which is why we are working with trade unions, businesses and communities to develop just transition plans to ensure that our approach is a fair one.

READ MORE: BP fined for rule breach at Vorlich oil field in North Sea

"That commitment to just transition is vital. I have already appointed our first just transition minister, and we will implement the recommendations of the just transition commission and maintain that commission to advise us throughout this session of the parliament. I believe that a majority in the parliament is committed to that transition to net zero. I also hope that a majority is committed to making that transition fairly, because that is in the interest of every individual and community across our country."

The SNP and the Scottish Greens have been locked in negotiations since May, after the SNP fell just one seat short of an overall majority at the Holyrood elections.

While both parties said there would not be a formal coalition between the two, an agreement would see them work together on key issues, and could even see some Green MSPs appointed as ministers in Nicola Sturgeon's government.

First reported by the Daily Record, and corroborated by the PA news agency, a source familiar with the negotiations said there had been "good progress" made and a deal was "95%" done.

An announcement, the source claimed, could come as early as the end of this week.

It is unclear what the final deal may look like, but in May Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs: "As we embark on this process, we are setting no limits on our ambition.

READ MORE: SNP election campaign: The inside story of Nicola Sturgeon's historic win

"So in that vein let me be clear that while this is not a guaranteed or pre-agreed outcome, it is not inconceivable that a co-operation agreement could lead in future to a Green minister or ministers being part of this Government.

"The key point for today is that we are both agreeing to come out of our comfort zones to find new ways of working for the common good."

Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens co-leader, said the people of Scotland were looking for "grown up politics", adding: "Green parties across Europe and in countries like New Zealand have in recent years rolled up their sleeves and worked with other parties to deliver a better future.

"But they have also shown that there is more than one way for government and opposition parties to work together, without losing the ability to challenge one another.

"We believe the people of Scotland want to see grown-up politics like this, and will approach the forthcoming talks in this spirit."

READ MORE: The story of the Scottish Greens' campaign: Lorna Slater steals the show

Responding today, Scottish LiDem interim leader Alistair Carmichael MP said: "If a deal is reached, this will simply be the formalisation of a nationalist alliance that has already cut tens of millions from council budgets and spared SNP minister's blushes over the appalling handling of education.

"Make no mistake, the Greens would be responsible for each and every failing of this tired government.

"To tackle the climate emergency will require cooperation across the UK, Europe and beyond not a retreat to narrow nationalism."