Climate change

Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment scoping of a consultation on packaging extended producer responsibility.

Partial equality impact assessment (EQIA) published alongside the four countries consultation on packaging extended producer responsibility.

Scottish Government Procurement Strategy covering the period from April 2021 to March 2023.

Scottish Government Response to the Report from the independent Deer Working Group on ‘The management of wild deer in Scotland’

Our artificial intelligence (AI) strategy sets out a vision for AI in Scotland, the principles that will guide us, and the actions we’ll take to develop and strengthen our AI ecosystem over the next five years.

Scotland's Third Land Use Strategy sets out our vision, objectives and policies to achieve sustainable land use. The strategy covers the next five years and aims to provide a more holistic understanding of our land, the demands we place upon it and the benefits we get from our land.

The Headlines and Next Steps booklet is a summary of Scotland's Marine Assessment 2020. It presents summaries of the already published detailed assessments.

Summary report presenting the findings to a consultation on - "Making Scotland's Future: A Recovery Plan for Manufacturing". In addition, Annex 1 within this document signposts to a range of public sector funded support initiatives and organisations available to help manufacturers.

Considers the potential role for bioenergy to support our net zero greenhouse emissions targets and outlines how we intend to move forward over the next 18 to 24 months to understand the most appropriate and sustainable use of bioenergy resources in Scotland.

Interim joint response from SG and COSLA to the New Future for Scotland's Town Centres report articulates our support for the reports overarching aim to work with our partners and communities to transform the future of our town centres and signals our commitment to work collaboratively in shaping and implementing change locally.

We fund a multi-million pound portfolio of research on the environment, natural resources and agriculture. This strategy outlines our vision, priorities and mechanisms for funding the next cycle of research which starts in 2022.

Analysis of responses to the consultation on a draft new air quality strategy for Scotland.

Single year and multi-year projects now eligible to apply to a £22 million peatland restoration programme.

A screening report for a Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) completed for the national development plan for crofting.

Results of the equality impact assessment (EQIA) undertaken in respect of the national development plan for crofting.

This plan highlights the core elements necessary to ensure that crofting remains at the heart of our rural and remote rural communities.

An analysis report summarising and describing the responses to the public consultation on introducing market restrictions on single-use plastic items in Scotland.

A discussion paper to invite views on the draft Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products and Oxo-degradable Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021.

This report is focused around five key themes: the health of the nation, delivering personalised care, reducing health inequalities, sustainability of our workforce, and green and sustainable healthcare.

Tackling the climate emergency and sharing our stories sets out commitments and ambitious action plans from Scotland's Environment and Economy Leaders' Group.

The Energy Strategy position statement provides an overview of our key priorities for the short to medium-term in ensuring a green economic recovery, whilst remaining aligned to our net zero ambitions, in the lead up to COP26.

Scotland will lead by example with commitment to net-zero.

An analysis report summarising and describing the responses to the public consultation on establishing a Scottish Nitrogen Balance Sheet

Hydrogen bus investment announced.

Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill passed.

Vision to transform heating in Scotland’s buildings published.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

Record funding to deliver Scotland’s green recovery.

Final report from the Suckler Beef Climate Group on development and delivery recommendations for sustainable suckler beef production in Scotland.

Analysis of the responses to the Just Transition Commission's call for evidence.

Help combat plastic waste.

More than £3.2 million to help communities drive climate action.

Measures to stop non-biodegradable waste heading to landfill.

Tackling climate change in farming and food production.

Cost appendix to accompany the technical feasibility of low carbon heating in domestic buildings report.

Technical appendix to accompany the technical feasibility of low carbon heating in domestic buildings report.

Initial assessment of Scotland’s opportunity to produce green hydrogen from offshore wind.

Examines how applications of hydrogen-based technologies in transport, industry, heat and whole system approaches can best be deployed in Scotland.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Next steps on tackling biodiversity loss published.

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.

Climate Change Secretary sets out key asks ahead of Climate Ambition Summit.

Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund opens.

Scotland to publish an indicative Nationally Determined Contribution ahead of Glasgow COP26.

More sustainable farming and food production.

This Young Person's Guarantee activity plan will be updated at regular points to account for progress made and future activity to be prioritised as part of the Guarantee.

New Centre of Expertise in Biodiversity announced.

Supporting Scotland’s green recovery. 

Consultation launched on banning common single-use plastic items.

£3.5 million to help deliver climate-friendly projects.

Scotland assumes European role ahead of critical COP26 talks.

People encouraged to continue recycling to help the environment.

Experts advise on replacing single-use items.

£2 million for locally-led green recovery.

Details on the Assembly's independence and governance, resources, member recruitment, meetings, evidence base, engagement, principles and reporting arrangements.

Funding for a just transition to net-zero.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Support package to help deliver net zero future.

Publication to be delayed due to coronavirus outbreak.

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.

Additional information for the full business case that underpins development of the deposit return scheme for Scotland.

Accompanying statement for Deposit Return Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2020, prepared in accordance with Section 97 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Expands on a previous strategic environmental assessment (SEA) published alongside the draft deposit return scheme for Scotland regulations and finalises the SEA.

Potential equality impacts for Scotland's deposit return scheme and proposed mitigation.

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.

Need for partnership working.

A Culture Strategy for Scotland shows how important culture is to Scotland’s prosperity and sets the future direction for supporting culture in Scotland.

Environment strategy published.

Moving to a low-carbon future.

Tackling the climate emergency and protecting public services.

Scottish Budget prioritising the climate emergency.

Public share opinions on transitioning to net-zero.

Working group to support ambitious new emissions targets.

Funding to support innovation.

Steps to ensure contracts stay in Scotland.

20 years of the Scottish Household Survey.

Talks to accelerate action on waste.

Estimates of Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions on a consumption basis.

Transport charter signed at COP25 summit.

Working together to tackle climate change.

Glasgow Science Centre to host COP26 events.

Education initiatives benefit from used Scottish Government equipment.

This report, required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, provides detail on Scotland's annual climate change emissions reduction targets.

Advisory body plan for ‘no deal’ Brexit.

First Minister announces support for shops tackling throwaway culture.

First Minister – Scotland acting locally as we lead globally on climate change.

Support for projects tackling climate emergency.

Taking action to become a net-zero society.

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.

Climate change top of the agenda for new planning system.

New legislation will demonstrate global leadership.

Improving protection against climate extremes.

A prospectus for cooperation, knowledge-exchange and policy partnerships between Scotland and the Arctic.

A five year programme to prepare Scotland for the challenges we will face as our climate continues to change.

Proposals put public sector at the forefront of climate change fight.

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.

Independent review on air quality published.

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.

Additional £11 million for peatland restoration.

Public engagement events to tackle climate emergency.

Estimates of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland for the years 1990 to 2017.

Fifth annual progress report on the Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish climate change adaptation programme (SCCAP) 2014.

Ambitious scheme design takes shape.

Call for immediate action on greenhouse gases.

Scotland will go greener, faster with world-leading targets.

Annual reports on the operation of section 72 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Embracing a carbon-neutral society

This SEA investigates the likely significant effects on the environment.

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.

We want to hear your views on Scotland's new five-year climate change adaptation programme to be launched in autumn 2019.

Scottish Government joins clean power group.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Remit and initial Commission members announced.

New partnership and funding.

Funding for global climate action.

Exploring the marine environment’s capacity to solve carbon problem.

This report is required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It provides detail on Scotland's annual climate change emissions reduction targets.

The first annual report monitoring progress towards Scotland's Climate Change Plan.

£600k fund for projects in Malawi and Zambia.

Doubling of funding.

£100,000 for beach clean-ups.

Just Transition Commission to advise on decarbonisation.

Key findings on climate change from the Scottish Household Survey 2017.

New fund to help communities in Malawi respond to effects of global warming.

Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by nearly half.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Fourth annual progress report on the Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish climate change adaptation programme.

New legislation set to be ‘toughest in the world’. 

Malawi partnership announced.

More than 1,000 community projects have helped cut carbon emissions.

Parliamentary report on the Climate Change Plan by Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham.

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.

Summaries of funding for climate change mitigation measures in draft Budgets since 2013 to 2014.

This is a report required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It provides detail on the annual climate change emissions reduction targets.

Information on the legislation made to date in relation to climate change in Scotland.