Friends of the Earth Scotland said the spill showed the dangers of offshore drilling in the North Sea.

BBC: Shell fights spill near North Sea oil platform

Friends of the Earth Scotland campaigns manager Mary Church was skeptical about the potential to lower the cost of energy.

BBC: Drilling for gas

Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, Kevin Dunion, said the environment had been sidelined in the election campaign but would have to be addressed when the parliament started sitting.

BBC: Holyrood parties only 'pale green'

Friends of the Earth said it had studied reports produced on air pollution in Scotland's four major cities last year and found most would fail to reach tough targets due to take effect in 2005 to cut levels of nitrogen dioxide, which is emitted by cars.

BBC: Valley 'most polluted area'