Policy - Latest
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Suckler Beef Climate Scheme: final report
Final report from the Suckler Beef Climate Group on development and delivery recommendations for sustainable suckler beef production in Scotland.
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Just Transition Commission call for evidence: analysis report
Analysis of the responses to the Just Transition Commission's call for evidence.
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Increase to carrier bag charge
Help combat plastic waste.
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Delivering Scotland’s green recovery
More than £3.2 million to help communities drive climate action.
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Action to tackle climate change
Measures to stop non-biodegradable waste heading to landfill.
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Improving sustainability through innovation
Tackling climate change in farming and food production.
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Offshore wind to green hydrogen: opportunity assessment
Initial assessment of Scotland’s opportunity to produce green hydrogen from offshore wind.
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Scottish hydrogen: assessment report
Examines how applications of hydrogen-based technologies in transport, industry, heat and whole system approaches can best be deployed in Scotland.
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Scottish Government Hydrogen Policy Statement
We set out our vision for Scotland to become a leading hydrogen nation in the production of reliable, competitive, sustainable hydrogen, securing Scotland’s future as a centre of international excellence as we establish the innovation, skills and and supply chain to underpin our energy transition.
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Deep decarbonisation pathways for Scottish industries: research report
The following report is a research piece outlining the potential pathways for decarbonisation of Scottish Industries. Two main pathways are considered, hydrogen and electrification, with both resulting in similar costs and levels of carbon reduction.
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Climate Change Plan 2018-2032 - update: strategic environmental assessment - draft
Draft strategic environmental assessment of the update to the Climate Change Plan 2018 to 2032. The appendices are available as a supporting file on this page.
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Annual energy statement: 2020
This year’s energy statement highlights the key developments in the sector that have influenced the Scottish Government's ability to deliver the targets set out in the current Energy Strategy, published in December 2017.
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Securing a green recovery on a path to net zero: climate change plan 2018–2032 - update
This update to Scotland's 2018-2032 Climate Change Plan sets out the Scottish Government's pathway to our new and ambitious targets set by the Climate Change Act 2019. It is a key strategic document on our green recovery from COVID-19.
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30% of Scotland’s land to be protected for nature
Next steps on tackling biodiversity loss published.
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Scottish biodiversity strategy post-2020: statement of intent
Sets the direction for a new biodiversity strategy which will respond to the increased urgency for action to tackle the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
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UK Government urged to match climate ambition with action
Climate Change Secretary sets out key asks ahead of Climate Ambition Summit.
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Helping industry cut emissions
Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund opens.
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Contributing to the Paris Agreement
Scotland to publish an indicative Nationally Determined Contribution ahead of Glasgow COP26.
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Farmer-led groups to tackle climate change
More sustainable farming and food production.
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Combating biodiversity loss
New Centre of Expertise in Biodiversity announced.
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Increased offshore wind ambition by 2030
Supporting Scotland’s green recovery.
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Tackling single-use plastic
Consultation launched on banning common single-use plastic items.
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Scotland’s Green Recovery
£3.5 million to help deliver climate-friendly projects.
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Driving international climate action
Scotland assumes European role ahead of critical COP26 talks.
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Recycle Week 2020
People encouraged to continue recycling to help the environment.
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Ending Scotland's throwaway culture
Experts advise on replacing single-use items.
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Building resilience for island communities
£2 million for locally-led green recovery.
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Scotland's Climate Assembly: operations and administration arrangements
Details on the Assembly's independence and governance, resources, member recruitment, meetings, evidence base, engagement, principles and reporting arrangements.
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Scotland’s green recovery
Funding for a just transition to net-zero.
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Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2018
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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£62 million fund for energy sector
Support package to help deliver net zero future.
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Climate Change Plan update
Publication to be delayed due to coronavirus outbreak.
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Climate Change Bill - strategic environmental assessment: post adoption
Ways in which the findings of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) environmental report and the views expressed by consultation respondents have been taken into account as the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill was finalised into the 2019 Act.
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Deposit return scheme for Scotland: full business case addendum
Additional information for the full business case that underpins development of the deposit return scheme for Scotland.
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Deposit return scheme for Scotland: accompanying statement
Accompanying statement for Deposit Return Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2020, prepared in accordance with Section 97 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
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Deposit return scheme for Scotland: strategic environmental assessment
Expands on a previous strategic environmental assessment (SEA) published alongside the draft deposit return scheme for Scotland regulations and finalises the SEA.
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Deposit return scheme for Scotland: equality impact assessment
Potential equality impacts for Scotland's deposit return scheme and proposed mitigation.
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Deposit return scheme for Scotland: business and regulatory impact assessment
Final Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA), which is a development of the partial BRIA published in June 2018 and the full BRIA published in July 2019.
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COP26 update
Need for partnership working.
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Protecting Scotland’s environment
Environment strategy published.
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New beef sector climate group
Moving to a low-carbon future.
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Scottish Budget 2020-21
Tackling the climate emergency and protecting public services.
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Delivering a green budget
Scottish Budget prioritising the climate emergency.
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The Big Climate Conversation
Public share opinions on transitioning to net-zero.
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Climate Change Plan
Working group to support ambitious new emissions targets.
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Tackling climate crisis through artificial intelligence
Funding to support innovation.
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Offshore wind summit
Steps to ensure contracts stay in Scotland.
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More people are environmentally conscious
20 years of the Scottish Household Survey.
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Scotland’s recycling summit
Talks to accelerate action on waste.
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Scotland's carbon footprint: 1998-2016
Estimates of Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions on a consumption basis.
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Global pledge on climate crisis
Transport charter signed at COP25 summit.
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Madrid COP25 climate summit
Working together to tackle climate change.
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Scotland’s base for climate summit
Glasgow Science Centre to host COP26 events.
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Sending computers to Africa
Education initiatives benefit from used Scottish Government equipment.
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Scottish greenhouse gas emissions annual target report: 2017
This report, required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, provides detail on Scotland's annual climate change emissions reduction targets.
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Safeguarding environmental standards
Advisory body plan for ‘no deal’ Brexit.
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Rates relief for retailers
First Minister announces support for shops tackling throwaway culture.
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£27m funding for active travel
First Minister – Scotland acting locally as we lead globally on climate change.
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Green investment programme opens
Support for projects tackling climate emergency.
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Scotland's Climate Week 2019
Taking action to become a net-zero society.
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Environmental principles and governance after Brexit: responses to consultation
An analysis report on responses recieved as part of the Consultation on Environmental Principles and Governance in Scoltand, which ran from the 16 February to 11 May 2019.
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Building a zero carbon future
Climate change top of the agenda for new planning system.
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Scotland to become a net-zero society
New legislation will demonstrate global leadership.
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Climate change adaptation
Improving protection against climate extremes.
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Arctic Connections: Scotland's Arctic policy framework
A prospectus for cooperation, knowledge-exchange and policy partnerships between Scotland and the Arctic.
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Climate Ready Scotland: climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024
A five year programme to prepare Scotland for the challenges we will face as our climate continues to change.
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Committing to zero emissions
Proposals put public sector at the forefront of climate change fight.
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The role of public sector bodies in tackling climate change: consultation
We are seeking your views on the way that information and knowledge are shared between public sector bodies; whether public bodies should set targets for themselves to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions; and on proposed changes to the mandatory reporting duties.
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Cleaner Air for Scotland
Independent review on air quality published.
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Scottish climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024: analysis of responses to consultation
Stakeholders' responses to consultation draft on Scotland's second statutory five-year climate change adaptation programme. The programme is due to be launched in autumn 2019.
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Tackling climate change
Additional £11 million for peatland restoration.
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The Big Climate Conversation
Public engagement events to tackle climate emergency.
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Scottish greenhouse gas emissions 2017
Estimates of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland for the years 1990 to 2017.
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Scottish climate change adaptation programme: progress report 2019
Fifth annual progress report on the Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish climate change adaptation programme (SCCAP) 2014.
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Deposit Return Scheme
Ambitious scheme design takes shape.
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Reaching net zero
Call for immediate action on greenhouse gases.
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Climate Change action
Scotland will go greener, faster with world-leading targets.
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Climate Change Act annual reports: 2016-2019
Annual reports on the operation of section 72 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
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Climate Challenge Fund
Embracing a carbon-neutral society
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Scottish climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024: strategic environmental assessment
This SEA investigates the likely significant effects on the environment.
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Developing an environment strategy for Scotland: analysis of responses to online discussion
Independent analysis of responses to our June to August 2018 online discussion that sought views to help inform the development of an Environment Strategy for Scotland.
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Scottish climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024: consultation draft
We want to hear your views on Scotland's new five-year climate change adaptation programme to be launched in autumn 2019.
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Powering Past Coal Alliance
Scottish Government joins clean power group.
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Scotland’s Carbon Footprint: 1998-2015
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Transitioning to carbon neutrality
Remit and initial Commission members announced.
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Innovative solutions to protect environment
New partnership and funding.
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UN climate change conference
Funding for global climate action.
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Blue Carbon forum launched
Exploring the marine environment’s capacity to solve carbon problem.
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Scottish greenhouse gas emissions annual target report: 2016
This report is required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It provides detail on Scotland's annual climate change emissions reduction targets.
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Climate Change Plan: monitoring report 2018
The first annual report monitoring progress towards Scotland's Climate Change Plan.
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Tackling climate change
£600k fund for projects in Malawi and Zambia.
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Turning the tide on marine plastics
Doubling of funding.
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Fighting coastline pollution
£100,000 for beach clean-ups.
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Leading the way to a low-carbon future
Just Transition Commission to advise on decarbonisation.
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Scottish household survey 2017: climate change topic report
Key findings on climate change from the Scottish Household Survey 2017.
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Tackling climate change
New fund to help communities in Malawi respond to effects of global warming.
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Strong progress on climate change
Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by nearly half.
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Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Scottish climate change adaptation programme: progress report 2018
Fourth annual progress report on the Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish climate change adaptation programme.
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Commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions
New legislation set to be ‘toughest in the world’.
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2050 Climate Group Youth Summit
Malawi partnership announced.
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Climate Challenge Fund
More than 1,000 community projects have helped cut carbon emissions.
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Climate Change Plan: ministerial statement
Parliamentary report on the Climate Change Plan by Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham.
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Climate Change Plan: third report on proposals and policies 2018-2032 (RPP3)
This plan sets out the path to a low carbon economy while helping to deliver sustainable economic growth and secure the wider benefits to a greener, fairer and healthier Scotland in 2032.
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Climate change mitigation funding in draft budgets: 2013 to present
Summaries of funding for climate change mitigation measures in draft Budgets since 2013 to 2014.
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Scottish greenhouse gas emissions annual target report: 2015
This is a report required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It provides detail on the annual climate change emissions reduction targets.
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Climate change: legislation
Information on the legislation made to date in relation to climate change in Scotland.
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Scottish greenhouse gas emissions annual target report: 2014
A report required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 providing detail on the annual climate change emissions reduction targets.