The first minister said ways to cut flights could be found

He made the commitment to a greener transport policy during a speech on the environment on Monday.

In a wide-ranging speech at Edinburgh's Botanic Gardens, he said it was right for ministers to set an example.

The Scottish Executive was criticised when it emerged that hundreds of civil servants were flying between London and Edinburgh.

He told an invited audience of environmentalists and business leaders, as well as schoolchildren, that ministers should show their commitment to green issues.

A combination of using trains and in addition video conferencing and technology should make that (reduction) possible Jack McConnell First Minister

He said: "I think it's perfectly achievable to reduce the number of flights - short flights to UK destinations - that I take in the course of a working year.

"I think to set a target, although it's always dangerous to set a target, but I think to set a target of 50%, reducing short haul flights that I have to take is entirely possible.

"A combination of using trains and in addition video conferencing and technology should make that possible."

Although not part of the current Labour-Liberal Democrat partnership agreement in the Scottish Executive, the first minister said that ministers were already doing their bit to minimise their travel.

He said this measure was likely to be toughened up if Labour wins power in the forthcoming Holyrood elections.

'Lead by example'

Mr McConnell added: "I believe certainly after the election in May, when new ministers will need to have fresh guidance about their jobs and the way that we conduct ourselves.

"I think it should be possible to give a firm commitment personally and collectively to lead by example and make sure that both ministers and the senior officials that work for us are doing the most that they possibly can to reduce their emissions."

However, Richard Lochhead, the SNP's environment spokesman, claimed that the first minister was merely paying "lip service" to green issues.

WWF is looking to all the political parties to commit to at least 3% reductions of carbon emissions per annum in Scotland Dr Richard Dixon WWF Scotland director

"When it comes to radical action after eight years in government he has been found seriously wanting," he added.

"The fact that this was the first time the first minister has made an environment speech in five years, yet he failed to set out any new ideas on how to improve Scotland's environmental record, is a clear example of his inaction."

The Liberal Democrats said they were proposing that ministers and civil servants should not fly between Edinburgh and London unless it was "absolutely necessary" and there were no alternatives.

"Instead, we would like to see the use of public transport and video-conferencing," said a spokesman.

Addressing the issue

Green MSP Mark Ballard said: "Executive transport policies overall will increase both road and air traffic levels, cause congestion and worsen climate change."

But he also claimed that the SNP and the Lib Dems were equally guilty of "climate wrecking" policies.

Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said he was pleased that Mr McConnell was now addressing the issue.

"It is encouraging to hear that the first minister will be looking to reduce his own flights by 50%," he added.