Scotland seeks title of green job capital

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney pledged to create at least 16,000 renewable-energy-related jobs in Scotland over the next 10 years.

The new goal is part of the nation's larger efforts to avoid recession and be more energy efficient, Scotland on Sunday reports.

Scotland should have at least one-tenth of the estimated 160,000 renewable energy jobs that will be generated in Britain over the next 10 years, Swinney said.

"We are in the most difficult economic climate for a generation and need to pursue every possible opportunity we have to create wealth," he said. "We are laying the foundations for economic success by investing in a greener deal for Scotland."

The nation generates one-fifth of its electricity demand from renewable sources, and Scotland is home to 25 percent of Europe's wave and tidal energy potential.