The Climate Change Plan (CCP) is a document which outlines how the Scottish Government intends to meet emissions reduction targets across all portfolio areas and sectors of the economy. The next Plan will cover the period 2026-2040 as Scotland looks to be ‘net zero’ in carbon emissions by 2045. 

Net zero is the point when emissions entering the atmosphere are balanced by removals out of the atmosphere.  

The Scottish Government laid a draft Climate Change Plan on 6 November 2025. The last full CCP was in 2018, with a Climate Change Plan update published in 2021. 

This follows the Scottish Parliament’s approval of regulations which set five-year carbon budgets - limits on the amount of greenhouse gas which can legally be emitted over a given time. The CCP seeks to meet the reduction targets set out in the regulations for the period 2026-2040. 

The CCP must also set out the costs and benefits of policies it proposes, whilst taking into consideration the principles of a Just Transition - that the switch to net zero should reduce not increase social injustice.  

Scrutiny of the draft CCP will be a cross-parliamentary effort, reflecting the fact that climate change impacts across all sectors. Scrutiny will focus on areas such as electricity, buildings, transport, industry, waste & circular economy, land use & forestry, agriculture, and negative emissions. 

Scottish Parliament committees now have 120 days (until 5 March) to scrutinise and report on the aspects of the Plan which fall under their remit.  

Scrutiny of the draft CCP will be a cross-parliament effort, with several committees expected to participate. 

The Scottish Government has committed to publishing its final Climate Change Plan before the dissolution of Parliament for the 2026 election.