Scottish Government Response to the Climate Change Committee's Scottish Progress Report 2025

Introduction

The Scottish Government is grateful to the Climate Change Committee (CCC) for its annual report on progress in reducing emissions in Scotland. The 2025 report, published in February 2026, provides valuable advice as we continue to progress at pace towards our climate goals. Between 1990 and 2023 our emissions more than halved while the economy grew by 66.4%, demonstrating that a thriving economy and falling emissions are not only compatible but go hand in hand. We can be proud of the progress Scotland has made so far. Since the CCC’s last report on Scotland’s progress in reducing emissions in 2024, this government has, amongst other things:

• Committed record investment of over £5 billion with a positive benefit for climate in the Scottish Government’s 2026-27 Budget.
• Scrapped ScotRail peak fares.
• Passed the landmark Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill.
• Invested £83m in the Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray, and have opened a new bidding round worth up to £17m.
• Published our Just Transition Plan for Grangemouth and have so far announced £12.7m of new Scottish Government funding to create up to 460 new jobs.
• Continued to invest in EV infrastructure expansion and we now have over 7,300 public charge points after our target for 6,000 public charge points was met two years ahead of schedule.
• Introduced a £2 bus fare cap pilot in Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute, Western Isles and Shetland.
• Restored more than 14,000 hectares of degraded peatlands across Scotland.
• Provided £6m for Scotland’s Climate Action Hubs for local climate action.
• Continued our work expanding woodland to cover 21% of Scotland’s land area by 2032 (currently at 19%).
• Published our Green Industrial Strategy, so that the people of Scotland can share in the enormous economic opportunities of the global transition to net zero.

Alongside an assessment of Scotland’s progress towards reducing emissions, the CCC’s report contained an assessment of the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan, which was published in November 2025 and outlines the action we will take to meet Scotland’s first three carbon budgets between 2026 and 2040. We are pleased that the CCC acknowledges that our carbon budgets and overall net zero target are achievable. We must continue to work apace to seize and fairly distribute the opportunities from the transition to net zero – from new jobs, inclusive growth and better infrastructure to improved public services and healthier people.

We have considered the CCC’s recommendations alongside the outputs of an extensive programme of engagement and public consultation on the draft Climate Change Plan. Following this period of review, the final Climate Change Plan has now been published. It includes over 150 actions across sectors such as transport, heat in buildings and agriculture. This plan builds on a solid foundation of our achievements from past Climate Change Plans, enhances targets for peatland restoration and forestry, as well as the draft Just Transition Plans that are supporting people through a fair transition to net zero.

The following report outlines the Scottish Government’s response to the recommendations put forward by the CCC. The Scottish Government has accepted or partially accepted all 18 recommendations. In areas which are partly or wholly reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government will continue to support and make the case for full and active cooperation.