A new 2020 Delivery Group aims to ensure that all sectors of Scotland's economy and civic society contribute fully to achieving the Climate Change Delivery Plan which includes the target of a 42% reduction in emissions over the next decade.

The group, convened by Scottish and Southern Energy Chief Executive Ian Marchant, met for the first time at the Falkirk Wheel this morning as the UN Climate Change Conference continued in Copenhagen.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "There should be no doubt that climate change is the greatest environmental threat we face, so we must act now, and act together, to tackle it.

"And there should be no doubt about the commitment of the Scottish government, Parliament and our private, public and third sector partners to tackling climate change. This new group brings together a wide range of expertise to examine in detail the actions needed across Scotland to meet our ambitious climate change targets.

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"Not only does our climate change legislation have the most ambitious targets in the world, it includes a clear strategy to implement them and today is a key part of that."

The FM acknowledged the Scottish government's comprehensive climate change framework, including the world-leading emission reduction targets of 42% and 80% by 2020 and 2050 respectively, and the carbon assessment of our 2010-11 budget, provides a lead to other governments looking to Scotland as a model of international best practice.

He added:"While prevented from joining the UK delegation at the UN summit - unlike the position of other devolved national and regional governments - our global engagement continues, led in Copenhagen next week by our Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson."

Mr Marchant said: "Government alone cannot hope to tackle these challenges. This is where the proposal for the 2020 delivery group has come from; a view that those key people in Scotland who are in a position to contribute or influence action should work together.

"It is fitting that we meet for the first time as the summit in Copenhagen gets under way, as it sends a strong message to that summit, that here in Scotland we are demonstrating leadership and acting positively to deliver the changes that are necessary."

(GK/KMcA)