The Scottish Government has today laid regulations which will build further on its world-leading Climate Change Act and its target of reducing carbon emissions by 42 per cent by 2020.

Since setting the target, Scotland has won praise across the world for our climate change ambitions. The laying of the regulations demonstrates ongoing work in meeting the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change.

Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Climate Change, said: "The advice from the Committee on Climate Change, the independent body established to advise government on setting carbon reduction targets, considers issues of both great importance and complexity and it was important that the Scottish Government had sufficient time to reflect upon it. We know that the challenge required to deliver our ambitious targets is a serious one. Everyone from Government, business, industry and individuals will need to play their part in helping to ensure that Scotland is at the forefront of a low carbon economy.

"Naturally, we will continue our efforts to influence the EU and international community to increase their ambition. We will continue to do that directly, through our work with the Climate Group's States and Regions Alliance, and closer to home, with our partners in the UK Government."

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Under the terms of the Act, Ministers were allowed to vary by order the interim target of a 42 per cent reduction in emissions based on expert advice from the Committee on Climate Change. The Committee on Climate Change has confirmed that the 42 per cent target represents an appropriate contribution to global emissions reductions in 2020 and would put Scotland on the path to meeting the target of an 80 per cent reduction by 2050. On that basis, Scottish Ministers will retain the ambitious 42 per cent target.

Progress on the target will be mapped by a series of annual targets, with the first batch, covering the period 2010-2022, having to be set by June 1 this year. The targets in the draft order laid today are set at the levels suggested by the Committee on Climate Change with the exception of those for 2011 and 2012. Rather than being set flat as the Committee on Climate Change had suggested, those targets will require that emissions fall by 0.5 per cent year-on-year. Annual targets to cover 2023-2027 must be set by October 31, 2011, and further batches set every five years thereafter.

As part of the process, today - under the provisions of the Climate Change Act - four draft Scottish Statutory Instruments were laid in Parliament for approval. They cover:

* Setting annual targets for 2010-22

* Setting a limit on the use of carbon credits for 2010-12

* Allocating a share of international aviation and shipping emissions to Scotland

* Carbon accounting regulations which will set out the circumstances in which carbon credits can be used

Mr Stevenson said: "We know that legislation alone won't deliver the targets. It needs to be translated into real changes in everyday actions: by businesses; the public sector; voluntary and community groups and individuals. Better public understanding is essential if people are to be motivated to act."

(GK/BMcC)