Scotland's Climate Change Plan – 2026-2040

Engaging With This Plan

We hope that in reading this plan, three things are made abundantly clear.

Firstly, that climate change, at this point, is no longer a far-off consideration or a distant threat. If we are to continue to enjoy our current quality of life, then it is essential that Scotland takes strong action now to deliver on our commitment to net zero emissions. We are in control of our own future, and we must play our important role as part of the international effort to limit global warming, in line with the Paris Agreement.

Secondly, that we are determined to take this action in a way that is fair, and that maximises the economic opportunities for Scotland. Keeping our country at the forefront of the global transition is vital if we are to see the benefits it offers in terms of jobs, growth and strengthened communities. Our efforts will be focussed on seizing the opportunities in front of us, while ensuring that people across our society can share in the benefits.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, that it is only by working together that we can deliver a united and ambitious response to the climate crisis across all sectors of society. Achieving net zero will be a collective effort, and it is on all of us – as individuals and as communities, alongside businesses and government – to take forward the action required for a just transition.

The role of the Scottish Government, and indeed the role of this Climate Change Plan, is to put in place policy that reduces emissions in a way that enables and empowers groups to make positive choices.

So, we call on people and businesses across Scotland to work with us on this effort. From individuals adopting a low carbon lifestyle, to businesses driving sustainable practices in their sector, this Climate Change Plan sets out our key priorities to support a transition to a green economy in our journey to net zero.

And we will continue to work with the UK Government, calling for deeper collaboration and urgent action in reserved areas to meet the needs of the climate crisis. Scotland’s success is crucial to the UK meeting their own climate ambitions, so aligning our efforts can deliver the maximum impact.

Crucially, as part of the consultation on this draft document, we are seeking your views on how the policies and proposals in this plan can deliver net zero. Your responses will help shape the final version of this plan, and provide a blueprint for delivering a fairer, greener and more prosperous future for all.

Responding To This Consultation

We are inviting responses to this consultation by the closing date of 29 January 2026. Please respond using the Scottish Government’s consultation platform, Citizen Space. You can do so here.

You can save and return to your responses while the consultation is still open. Please ensure that your response is submitted before the closing date.

Further information on the consultation, including the consultation questions, is in Annex 4 – Responding to this Consultation.