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Climate Change Bill published
05/12/2008
The Scottish Government today published its Climate Change Bill which if passed will mean Scotland has the most ambitious climate change legislation anywhere in the world.
Speaking following the publication, Stewart Stevenson said:
"The measures set out in the Bill show that Scotland is at the forefront of global efforts to tackle climate change.
"This Government has taken the bold decision to include all six Greenhouse gases and emissions from international aviation and shipping within an ambitious 80 per cent target. We are also setting rigorous annual targets to ensure that the Government now and in the future is held to account.
"Setting targets is not an end in itself, it is delivery that matters. This is why we are developing a range of short, medium and long term policy options to drive the changes needed to meet our ambitious targets. These options will be published next year.
"As a Government we are determined to have carbon assessment at the heart of our decision making. We are breaking new ground with our Carbon assessment project which will ensure climate change impacts are considered in future budgets and spending decisions.
"Achieving these targets will be challenging. But I am confident that Government, business and the people of Scotland are ready to rise to the challenge of climate change."
Over 21,000 responses were received to the Scottish Government's consultation on a climate change bill.
The Bill will establish a legal framework for emissions reductions in the run up to 2050.
The Scottish Government will now be developing a range of short, medium and long term policy options to drive the changes needed to meet our ambitious targets. These options will be published next year.