This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27778476

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions rise in 2012 Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions rise in 2012
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland's emissions of greenhouse gases rose in 2012, according to government-published figures.Scotland's emissions of greenhouse gases rose in 2012, according to government-published figures.
Emissions of the six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, were estimated to be 52.9m tonnes in 2012.Emissions of the six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, were estimated to be 52.9m tonnes in 2012.
This was a 0.8% rise compared to 2011 and exceeded the revised annual emissions target for 2012.This was a 0.8% rise compared to 2011 and exceeded the revised annual emissions target for 2012.
However, the Scottish government said Scotland could still meet its statutory target of a 42% reduction in emissions by 2020.However, the Scottish government said Scotland could still meet its statutory target of a 42% reduction in emissions by 2020.
Labour accused Scottish ministers of "political spin". Labour accused Scottish ministers of "political spin" while the Scottish Greens called for "bolder action".
The target was set out in law in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act, which the Scottish Parliament passed in 2009.The target was set out in law in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act, which the Scottish Parliament passed in 2009.
The statistics pointed to a 29.9 % reduction in estimated emissions between 1990 and 2012, but there was not a uniform downward trend. The statistics pointed to a 29.9% reduction in estimated emissions between 1990 and 2012, but there was not a uniform downward trend.
'Scale of challenge''Scale of challenge'
Increases in emissions were recorded in 1999, 2005, 2010 and 2012.Increases in emissions were recorded in 1999, 2005, 2010 and 2012.
Scottish ministers said the figures had been revised since a previous publication in 2013, "to incorporate methodological improvements and new data".Scottish ministers said the figures had been revised since a previous publication in 2013, "to incorporate methodological improvements and new data".
When adjusted to take account of trading in the EU Emissions Trading System, emissions increased by 0.5 per cent between 2011 and 2012. When adjusted to take account of trading in the EU Emissions Trading System, emissions increased by 0.5% between 2011 and 2012.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "Scotland has the world's leading climate change targets. With a target of 42% by 2020 we are ahead of the UK at 34% and well ahead of the EU at 20%.Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "Scotland has the world's leading climate change targets. With a target of 42% by 2020 we are ahead of the UK at 34% and well ahead of the EU at 20%.
"Scotland chose to have stretching targets because we were aware of the scale of the challenge of climate change. And we should be proud of the efforts that have been made across society since the 2009 Climate Change Act."Scotland chose to have stretching targets because we were aware of the scale of the challenge of climate change. And we should be proud of the efforts that have been made across society since the 2009 Climate Change Act.
"However since then we have also improved the method for calculating our greenhouse gas emissions. That was the right thing to do, but it now shows that the task is in fact even harder than Parliament and society realised in 2009." "However, since then we have also improved the method for calculating our greenhouse gas emissions. That was the right thing to do, but it now shows that the task is in fact even harder than parliament and society realised in 2009."
'Flimsy excuses''Flimsy excuses'
Mr Wheelhouse is due to make a statement to MSPs on the emissions statistics.Mr Wheelhouse is due to make a statement to MSPs on the emissions statistics.
Scottish Labour's environment spokeswoman Claire Baker said: "It is five years since the Climate Change Act was passed by the Parliament but so far the government's lack of action has led to a significant lack of progress on a number of environmental targets. Scottish Labour's environment spokeswoman Claire Baker said: "It is five years since the Climate Change Act was passed by the parliament but so far the government's lack of action has led to a significant lack of progress on a number of environmental targets.
"Time is running out for the Scottish government to prove they are serious about meeting their own targets."Time is running out for the Scottish government to prove they are serious about meeting their own targets.
"Today's statement must show that they are willing to take bold action rather than hiding behind flimsy excuses and political spin.""Today's statement must show that they are willing to take bold action rather than hiding behind flimsy excuses and political spin."
Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "This latest failed target will strengthen the growing mood in support of bolder action from government, and it's essential that the climate change minister takes the opportunity to act.
"There's agreement across the parties at Holyrood for a series of additional policies to cut our greenhouse gas emissions, and it's simply not good enough for ministers to wheel out the same old rhetoric.
"This afternoon's statement must give detailed plans to get Scotland back on track. Re-announcement of existing commitments would be simply unacceptable."
You can watch the statement live on the BBC's Democracy Live website.You can watch the statement live on the BBC's Democracy Live website.