This is the Climate Committee's third report on Scotland’s progress towards meeting emission reduction targets, as requested by Scottish Ministers under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

The Scottish Act sets a long-term target to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 80% in 2050 relative to 1990, with an interim target to reduce emissions by 42% in 2020 relative to 1990. Secondary legislation passed in October 2010 and October 2011 also set a series of annual emission reduction targets for 2010 to 2022 and 2023 to 2027 respectively.

Emissions data for Scotland and the other devolved administrations are produced with a significant delay compared to the UK as a whole and comprehensive data are only available for 2011. It therefore focuses on progress against the 2011 annual target.

The report also consider 2012 emissions data for the power sector and the rest of the traded sector under the EU Emissions Trading System (mainly industry), as well as macroeconomic and temperature data. Furthermore, the report discusses underlying progress towards reducing emissions through the development and implementation of policies and measures.