This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Report highlights progress on climate change
08/03/2007
The first annual report on Scotland's Climate Change Programme was published today.
Environment Minister Ross Finnie said:
"Climate change is the biggest environmental threat. In Scotland we are already witnessing changes and we must respond now. Through Changing Our Ways: Scotland's Climate Change Programme, the Scottish Executive is committed to taking action and to reporting progress annually. This first annual report sets out significant progress.
"In the first year we have increased investment in renewable technology, met our renewable energy target for 2010 ahead of schedule, set out the contribution we expect forestry to make and delivered a sustainable National Transport Strategy.
"We will shortly publish proposals to make Scotland more energy efficient.
"Scotland is increasing its contribution on the international stage as a founding member of the States and Regions Climate Alliance, and an early signatory to the Montreal Declaration.
"Much has been achieved but more needs to be done. Everyone in Scotland needs to play their part in making it a sustainable future. We will continue to work with Scotland's local authorities and business sector in tackling climate change through initiatives such as Scotland's Climate Change Declaration and the Business Delivery Group."
Background:
Scotland's Climate Change Programme was published in March 2006. It represented a strengthening of the Executive's climate change response and, for the first time, quantified in carbon terms the contribution Scotland must make towards UK commitments to reduce greenhouse gases. It also set a target for the Executive to exceed this contribution by 1 million tonnes of carbon in 2010.
Amongst the commitments in the Programme was that the Scottish Executive would report annually on progress with the Climate Change Programme, to the Cabinet in the first instance and then the Scottish Parliament. In line with this commitment, Scotland's Climate Change Programme: Annual Report 2007 has today been laid before the Scottish Parliament.