The Scottish Government is proposing a new target to reduce carbon emissions by 90% by 2050.

It has set out the ambitious goal in the new draft Climate Change Bill, with the intention of going further and achieving a 100% reduction “as soon as possible”.

Minister will be legally required to keep the net-zero target date under review by seeking expert advice every five years.

The goal will be legally binding, subject to the consent of the Scottish Parliament, “as soon as there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate the date is credible and achievable”.

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Our Climate Change Bill sets out our commitment to reduce emissions by 100% with ambitious interim targets which strengthen Scotland’s world-leading position on climate change.

“Our 90% target will be tougher even than the 100% goal set by a handful of other countries because our legislation will set more demanding, legally-binding, annual targets covering every sector of our economy. By 2030, we will cut emissions by two-thirds and unlike other nations, we will not use carbon offsetting, where other countries are paid to cut emissions for us to achieve our goal.”