The Climate Change Scotland Bill has been granted Royal Assent and will now become an Act of Parliament.

The legislation creates a long-term framework that:

• introduces a statutory target to reduce Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050
• establishes an interim target of at least 42 per cent emissions reductions by 2020. There is a power to vary the interim target, and Scottish Ministers are committed to delivering the highest achievable emissions reductions based on expert advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change
• establishes a framework of annual targets
• includes emissions from international aviation and international shipping

For details visit: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/08/05131424