Scotland's Climate Change Plan – 2026-2040 - CRWIA

Post Assessment Review and Sign-off

10. Planning for the review of impact on children’s rights and wellbeing

The delivery of the Climate Change Plan will include monitoring and evaluation.

As per the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, the Scottish Government has a statutory duty to monitor and report on progress in achieving our net zero by 2045 target. This is done through a number of reports which are published annually:

Under Section 35B Scottish Ministers must in each relevant year lay a report that contains an assessment of progress towards implementing the proposals and policies set out in the Climate Change Plan. A relevant year does not include any year in which a Climate Change Plan is laid before the Scottish Parliament.

Under Section 34A Scottish Ministers must each year lay a report stating the percentage by which the net Scottish emissions account for the year is lower than the baseline. Or alternatively, where the following period is covered by a Scottish carbon budget, under Sections 33 and 34 Scottish Ministers must lay a report stating whether the Scottish carbon budget target arising from that budget has been met.

In addition, under The Climate Change (Nitrogen Balance Sheet) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 Scottish Ministers must review and update the nitrogen balance sheet and lay a report in relation to nitrogen use efficiency.

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 also requires Scottish Ministers to ask the Climate Change Committee to prepare a report setting out their view on progress towards achievement of future emissions reduction targets. This would include whether the targets are likely to be achieved and any further effort necessary to achieve the targets. Scottish Ministers must also request the Climate Change Committee prepare a report, no later than the end of the second year following each carbon budget, setting out their views on whether the carbon budget emissions reduction target was met, the ways the target was or was not met and the action taken by Scottish Ministers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The succeeding Climate Change Plan, for the period up to 2045, will require a new Child’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment to be published.

11. Sign off

Policy Lead Signature and Date of Sign Off: Kim Horner, 16/03/2026

Deputy Director Signature and Date of Sign Off: Phil Raines, 17/03/2026

Date CRWIA team first contacted: 02/04/2025