Màiri McAllan has confirmed that the Scottish Government is scrapping a key climate change target.

However, the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy described the decision to ditch the pledge to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030, as “a minor legislative amendment.”

The minister told MSPs that the government accepted a recent report by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) that this interim target was now “out of reach.”

She said the government needed to act and “chart a course” to make the ambition to be net zero by 2045 “at a pace and scale that is feasible, fair and just.”

Ms McAllan said: “With this in mind, I can today confirm that, working with parliament on a timetable, the Scottish Government will bring forward expedited legislation to address matters raised by the Climate Change Committee, and ensure our legislative framework better reflects the reality of long-term climate policymaking.

“The narrowly drawn Bill will retain our legal commitment to 2045 alongside annual reporting on progress, while introducing a target approach based on five-yearly carbon budgets.”

In her statement, Ms McAllan announced a number of measures which she said would help support Scotland’s “just transition to net zero”.

These included plans to triple the number of electric vehicle charge points in Scotland, and a pilot scheme with some Scottish farms to "establish future appropriate uptake of methane supressing feed products or additives."

She also promised to launch a consultation on carbon land tax on the largest estates to "further incentivise peatland restoration, afforestation and renewable energy production.”

Ms McAllan told MSPs: “This government will not yield to climate culture wars.

“We will never shrink our duty to those impacted by climate change today and to future generations.

“Together we can tackle this crisis with the pace and urgency required. Indeed with very minor legislative amendments we will pave the way for continued ambitious and pragmatic delivery in this most important challenge.”

Environmental charities and opposition MSPs were scathing.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns Imogen Dow said it was "the worst environmental decision in the history of the Scottish Parliament."

“The 2030 target could and should have been met, but instead politicians are going to break their promises and betray both their constituents and the most vulnerable people already enduring the impacts of climate breakdown," she added.

Ms Dow said that instead of a "significant response and a ramping up of action", the Scottish Government had "presented a weak package of re-heated ideas, many of which were already pledged years ago and never delivered. “

There was however support for the government from the Scottish Greens. 

More to follow...