fire in dublin died in a nightclub fire in dublin more than a0 years ago are due shortly. and prince william is given get well soon cards for his wife as he makes his first appearance since catherine announced her cancer diagnosis. welcome to bbc news now, the scottish government is expected to confirm it is a ditching its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. the bbc understands that the government's annual climate targets could also be scrapped, but the final goal of reaching 80 by 20a5 will remain. we will be live in holyrood for the emissions target statement, that is going to come from the scottish net zero and energy secretary.

environmental campaigners have already criticised the plans to scrap that key climate change targets. indeed, friends of the earth scotland branded it the worst environmental decision in the history of the scottish parliament. we will be live in holyrood for that statement which we are expecting around 25 past two. but first i want to take a look at some of the day's other news. a conservative mp has been suspended by the parliamentary party after claims he misused campaign funds. the times newspaper alleges he use the local party funds to pay off what he reportedly called bad people who had locked him in a flat. he strongly disputes the allegations. the conservative party was made aware of the allegations three months ago and says it is investigating. 0ur political correspondent reports. the honesty needs to start now, the lack of clarity needs to stop. this was

marked last week urging transparency about the impact locally of a wind farm being built offshore. the allegation about his own behaviour first reported by the times is that last december and 3am he called his former campaign manager and said bad people had a flat, adding he needed £5,000 as a matter of life or death. it is claimed campaign donations were later used to cover the payment. and also that he has received £ia,000 to cover medical bills. the bbc has not been able to speak to him for a comment, but in a statement to the times he said, i strongly disputed the allegations put to me. i have fully compliant with all of the rules for declarations. as there is an investigation ongoing, i will not be commenting further. the conservative party was made aware of the allegations in january when the former allegations injanuary when the former campaign manager reported them. it is investigating and says them. it is investigating and says the processes confidential. he was only suspended as a conservative mp

when the times investigated the claims. mi; when the times investigated the claims. ~ , , ., , when the times investigated the claims. g , . , ., claims. my understanding is that further information _ claims. my understanding is that further information came - claims. my understanding is that further information came to - claims. my understanding is thati further information came to light yesterday, whether through the story or another route, i do not know. it led to the suspension of the weight. but in fact it has been being investigated.— but in fact it has been being investiuated. ., ., ., , investigated. today's revelations... labour called _ investigated. today's revelations... labour called the _ investigated. today's revelations... labour called the claim _ investigated. today's revelations... labour called the claim is _ labour called the claim is extraordinary.— labour called the claim is extraordina . , ., , extraordinary. may raise serious auestions extraordinary. may raise serious questions about _ extraordinary. may raise serious questions about the _ extraordinary. may raise serious questions about the misuse - extraordinary. may raise serious questions about the misuse of l extraordinary. may raise serious - questions about the misuse of funds and the _ questions about the misuse of funds and the pressure put on others to facilitate — and the pressure put on others to facilitate it. perhaps more importantly, also how these issues are handled by the conservative party~ _ are handled by the conservative pa . ., ., ., , are handled by the conservative pa. are handled by the conservative pa . ., ., ., , ., party. the honourable lady mention serious allegations _ party. the honourable lady mention serious allegations and _ party. the honourable lady mention serious allegations and other- serious allegations and other incidents— serious allegations and other incidents that _ serious allegations and other incidents that came - serious allegations and other incidents that came to - serious allegations and other incidents that came to light i serious allegations and other- incidents that came to light during the course — incidents that came to light during the course of— incidents that came to light during the course of the _ incidents that came to light during the course of the recess. - incidents that came to light during the course of the recess. these i incidents that came to light during l the course of the recess. these are very serious — the course of the recess. these are very serious matters. _ the course of the recess. these are very serious matters.— the course of the recess. these are very serious matters. labour want to know how long _ very serious matters. labour want to know how long ago _ very serious matters. labour want to know how long ago senior _ know how long ago senior conservatives, including rishi sunak, knew about the case, and whether the conservatives had reported to police issues that could relate to potential criminality in the party. bbc news, westminster.

0ur political correspondent is also at westminster and has more on the political reaction to the suspension. downing street have confirmed that mark has been suspended as a trade envoy to several latin american countries. downing street would not comment any further on this specific case but in general terms they said that the prime minister believed there was no place in parliament by inappropriate behaviour, and mps should act as role models. there has however been plenty of political reaction from labour, they are asking a series of questions, when did the prime minister know about these allegations? did mark himself report these allegations? did conservative head office report these allegations could back in addition to that, they are also asking if there are implications for electoral law because at the time is allegation suggests that money debated for political campaigning was used for quite a different purpose. if you

remain suspended from the conservative whip, what that means in practice is he cannot stand as a conservative candidate at this year's general election. i think the biggerfearfor year's general election. i think the bigger fear for conservative party bossesis bigger fear for conservative party bosses is that if he resigns, there could be a by—election. he has a healthy majority of more than 16,000 but in recent by—elections, both labour and but in recent by—elections, both labourand lib but in recent by—elections, both labour and lib dems have overturned a much bigger conservative majorities. there is another danger to for the prime minister, on monday he is hoping that finally his random legislation will go through, but if questions persist about one of his mps who was until recently a trade envoy, then that might end up overshadowing the more positive news that downing street would prefer to be talking about. a jury is expected to deliver its verdict in the inquest of a8 people who died in a nightclub fire in dublin more than a0 years ago. the devastating blaze

at the stardust nightclub in north dublin broke out in the early hours of valentine's day, 1981. a fresh inquest which was directed by ireland's attorney general have been the longest held in ireland, with proceedings commencing one year ago. let's go live to our correspondent who has been following this story. jennifer, just remind us what actually happened at the stardust nightclub. this actually happened at the stardust niuhtclub. �* , ,, . actually happened at the stardust niuhtclub. a ., ., nightclub. as you have outlined, stardust was _ nightclub. as you have outlined, stardust was the _ nightclub. as you have outlined, stardust was the name - nightclub. as you have outlined, stardust was the name of - nightclub. as you have outlined, stardust was the name of a - nightclub. as you have outlined, - stardust was the name of a nightclub in north county dublin, on february 13, 1981 it was hosting a dancing competition and over 800 young people, many of them teenagers, were attending. in the early hours of valentines morning, 1981, the music stopped, the dj announced there was a fire and said that people should head for the exits. the lights failed, and black smoke filled the ballroom, the ceiling overhead collapsed, there were flames shooting overhead, and those inside

were essentially trying to escape an inferno. the inquest heard that fire reached temperatures of as high as 1200 celsius in less than two minutes. the inquest also heard evidence alleging that some of the exits were locked, and some happier like because there was chains draped across. the windows in the toilets were also sealed shut with metal plates and bars. 0ver were also sealed shut with metal plates and bars. over 800 people were in that ballroom, a8 people were in that ballroom, a8 people were killed aged between 16 and 27. the average age of the victims was 19, and to date it remains the worst fire tragedy in the history of the irish republic.— fire tragedy in the history of the irish republic. lots of people will be wondering _ irish republic. lots of people will be wondering why _ irish republic. lots of people will be wondering why the _ irish republic. lots of people will be wondering why the inquest - irish republic. lots of people will be wondering why the inquest isl be wondering why the inquest is being held so long after the tragedy. £13 being held so long after the traced. . , ., g; being held so long after the traced. ., , ., ., , tragedy. 43 years today. 43 years later. decades _ tragedy. 43 years today. 43 years later. decades after— tragedy. 43 years today. 43 years later. decades after the - tragedy. 43 years today. 43 years later. decades after the tragedy. | later. decades after the tragedy. there was an original one in 1981 but the families of the victims have

long campaigned for a second inquest because, as they see it, the truth behind their loved ones deaths had remained hidden. as we speak those jury remained hidden. as we speak those jury verdicts in the a8 deaths are being made public to a doubling's coroner's court and we are awaiting those verdicts. the families have been hoping that the verdict of unlawful killing will be found in some of those deaths. it is an important distinction to make that the dublin coroner's court has said that such a verdict does not attribute criminality or civil liability to any person or organisation. there has been political reaction in the irish republic ahead of the jury's findings this afternoon. the deputy prime minister in ireland told the irish parliament earlier today that todayis irish parliament earlier today that today is a huge moment for the families, and indeed the country, he

said, because it is seated in the collective consciousness of the irish people. you say the name stardust too many people of that generation, and generations following, and they think of the horror of that night in 1981. and there will be many irish people in britain who are of that generation who emigrated to britain in search of work and who themselves were teenagers in 1981, and who would have gone out to like those teenagers did, that awful night, for a night of fun, a night of dancing, and it turned into the most unimaginable tragedy. and yes, the flames were put out that night by the fire brigade who arrived on the scene shortly after the emergency services were called. but if you think of it this way, of those victim's families, the pain has lived on for decades still. and it is a source of unimaginable grief

for many of those families still. so we are awaiting those verdicts from the dublin's coroner's court, they are being read into the public record around now, we believe. i was 'ust seeinu record around now, we believe. i was just seeing a — record around now, we believe. i was just seeing a report _ record around now, we believe. i was just seeing a report that _ record around now, we believe. i was just seeing a report that all— record around now, we believe. iwas just seeing a report that all of the seats in the court had been taken, and above the legal teams have actually given up their seats for the family members. i know you are going to keep an eye on those verdicts and we will come back to when we get more detail from dublin. thank you for the moment. prince william has returned to official duties today for the first time since his wife, princess catherine, revealed her cancer diagnosis four weeks ago. he was given get well cards, and also the king, while visiting a few charity in surrey was helping out in the kitchens and learning meals into delivery vans. 0ur royal correspondentjonny dymond is in sunbury—on—thames with more on the prince of wales' visit.

back to the dayjob for prince william after a long easter break but more importantly on everybody�*s mines come every week since his wife made that announcement about undergoing treatment for cancer, having preventive chemotherapy. this kind of event is meat and drink, of course, for the royalfamily. we are west of london, this is a place where they collect up surplus food, package it up and make sure it is shipped out to the needy. prince william was pitching in, chatting with volunteers here for around one hour. but outside the venue and almost certainly inside, a lot of curiosity, of course, about the condition of the princess of wales. there has been absolute silence. the palace is not giving anything like a running commentary or any information about that, but there were no direct questions to the prince and he certainly was not answering up any comments. he did get get well cards, one one for the king. 0ur royal correspondent there. more now on our top story. the

scottish government plans to scrap a key climate change targets. we are expecting confirmation from the scottish net zero and energy secretary at holyrood very shortly, this is the scene live in holyrood where they are discussing other issues. we are expecting the statement at around 2:25pm. campaigners say the plans are a global embarrassment. the bbc understands that the government's annual climate target could also be scrapped. but the final goal of reaching net zero by 20a5 will remain. 0ur scotland editor explains. this wild and windy nation has made strides towards cutting emissions of greenhouse gases. the scottish government prides itself on ambitious climate targets, but now the snp and their scottish green party partners and hitting they are

not moving fast enough. a formal announcement is expected here in the scottish parliament shortly, but it first minister's questions, humza yousaf was already under pressure. we of course have made progress between 1990 and 2021. we reduce our carbon emissions faster than any other nation in the uk. let me also be clear, this government will not move back by a single month, a week or even a day from that 20a5 target to achieving net zero. emir; or even a day from that 2045 target to achieving net zero.— to achieving net zero. only humza yousaf could _ to achieving net zero. only humza yousaf could believe _ to achieving net zero. only humza yousaf could believe slamming . to achieving net zero. only humza| yousaf could believe slamming the brakes_ yousaf could believe slamming the brakes is— yousaf could believe slamming the brakes is an acceleration. that is what _ brakes is an acceleration. that is what they— brakes is an acceleration. that is what they are doing this afternoon. we already know humza yousaf is supports — we already know humza yousaf is supports attacks on workers but does not support _ supports attacks on workers but does not support a tax on the oil and gas giants _ not support a tax on the oil and gas giants who— not support a tax on the oil and gas giants who are making record profits — giants who are making record rofits. ., , giants who are making record rofits. . , ., ., , profits. last month, an independent reort profits. last month, an independent re ort said profits. last month, an independent report said the _ profits. last month, an independent report said the scottish _ report said the scottish government's plans to hit the

interim emissions target in 2030 fell far short of what was needed. but actually ditching that target has left environmental campaign furious. it has left environmental campaign furious. ., , has left environmental campaign furious. , . , has left environmental campaign furious. , . furious. if the scottish cup and scrap these — furious. if the scottish cup and scrap these targets _ furious. if the scottish cup and scrap these targets it - furious. if the scottish cup and scrap these targets it would i furious. if the scottish cup and| scrap these targets it would be furious. if the scottish cup and - scrap these targets it would be the worst environmental decision in the history of the scottish parliament. the 2030 targets could and should have been met. we need urgent climate action this decade, not more delays like this.— delays like this. less than three ears delays like this. less than three years ago. _ delays like this. less than three years ago, leaders _ delays like this. less than three years ago, leaders from - delays like this. less than three years ago, leaders from around| delays like this. less than three . years ago, leaders from around the globe were gathered here on the clyde, discussing how to tackle climate change. at the time, the then first minister, nicola sturgeon, was keen to convey scotland as a world leader in that endeavour. but now both the snp and the scottish greens are discovering that keeping promises is harder than making them. james cook, bbc news, glasgow. we are expecting that announcement in the next half an hour or so, this is the scene live at holyrood where the snp is our debating another issue. we will get the statement at around 2:25pm.

let's talk to bbc scotland's political correspondent who is also at holyrood. i wonder if i could start off with the reaction from the environmental groups to this news. it has been very strong, hasn't it? yes, very strong, indeed. there has been a certain amount of concern from these groups that the scottish government is indeed dropping this key pledge. the scottish government have been emphasising that they are still accelerating in their words up to that 20a5 net zero target. although labour were saying in the chamber that they are just a bit earlier and they were putting the brakes on accelerating to that target. in terms of the environmental groups, yes, there was a lot of reaction, including from greenpeace who said this was like striking a match in a petrol station. it is a very dangerous step to take. friends of the earth were saying this is the worst

environmental decision in the history of the scottish parliament. this 25—year—old institution. 0xfam were saying this is our moment for acute global embarrassment for the scottish government. so these groups who have been obviously probably quite proud of scotland having what were termed world leading climate targets are now being very critical of the government here and this is a government of course made up of the snp, but of the scottish green party too. shad snp, but of the scottish green party too. �* ., snp, but of the scottish green party too. �* . . ~' , too. ad that makes it quite difficult for _ too. ad that makes it quite difficult for the _ too. ad that makes it quite difficult for the greens - too. ad that makes it quitej difficult for the greens who too. ad that makes it quite - difficult for the greens who are, as you said, the snp partners in government. you said, the snp partners in government-— you said, the snp partners in covernment. . , , , government. that is true because we were covering — government. that is true because we were covering their _ government. that is true because we were covering their conference - government. that is true because we were covering their conference just i were covering their conference just a couple of weeks ago and they were using that phrase then, accelerating towards achieving these climate targets as well. this must have been in the offing then, because really a few weeks ago we did hear from the independent committee on climate change that scotland's 2030 goals were going to be unreachable. so

hence the decision now to pull back. it is difficult for the greens, and people have been really taking swipes at them here in parliament. labour were saying there are the only green party in the world were going back on climate targets. i think some people who have been in government and served in government in the past or been government advisers are pointing out that these targets were pretty stretching anyway. here in parliament the snp and the greens are being very critical of the united kingdom government saying that westminster has been pulling back from these targets as well, which has not made any easier scotland. and targets as well, which has not made any easier scotland.— any easier scotland. and also we have had some _ any easier scotland. and also we have had some criticism - any easier scotland. and also we have had some criticism from - any easier scotland. and also we - have had some criticism from former first minister in the form of alex hammond. he first minister in the form of alex hammond-— hammond. he was on bbc radio scotland earlier— hammond. he was on bbc radio scotland earlier today _ hammond. he was on bbc radio scotland earlier today and - hammond. he was on bbc radio scotland earlier today and mr- scotland earlier today and mr salmond who says that he did start to achieve some of these targets, he

was accused of actually grabbing the low hanging fruit when it came to cutting carbon emissions in scotland, such as cutting down on coal use, but actually he is not a fan of the green party or even in fact a fan of the covenant snp leadership. he said it was embarrassing for the current first minister. he is very critical of the greens and he feels that there has been too much of a focus on this parliament from the greens on issues like trans rights, he wants a focus taken away from that and more on actually improving people's living standards, focusing on growth and things like that. mr salmond, no fan of the greens are the current snp leadership, including the former first minister, nicola sturgeon, was partly responsible for these targets, and she has been contacted to david has not been giving any interviews. taste

to david has not been giving any interviews-— to david has not been giving any interviews. ~ . , . interviews. we are expecting the announcement _ interviews. we are expecting the announcement soon, _ interviews. we are expecting the announcement soon, what - interviews. we are expecting the announcement soon, what are i interviews. we are expecting the l announcement soon, what are the procedures in the chamber that we are going to see in the next little while? it are going to see in the next little while? , , , ., are going to see in the next little while? , , i. ., ,, while? it is interesting you make the oint while? it is interesting you make the point about _ while? it is interesting you make the point about procedures - while? it is interesting you make i the point about procedures because there could actually be a real procedural point from the poseidon officer, because the story was broken by bbc news last night and now there is concern in the chamber, it was raised a short time ago that there has been some opposition msps from the conservatives and from labour saying there has been content shown to the chamber because the scottish government did not announce it in the chamber first of all. the presiding officer could save that you are not giving this statement to mary mark allen, or she could say you are only giving part of the statement, government mightjust statement, government might just receive statement, government mightjust receive a telling off and we do get the statement. it could be a bit of a procedural question there, in a sense, when it comes to the actual content i think mary mark allen might be speaking about carbon

budgeting orfive year might be speaking about carbon budgeting or five year periods which you have in england at the moment. there could be announcements on cars as well and may be some issues brought up for drivers. we should be getting that as well. i am brought up for drivers. we should be getting that as well.— getting that as well. i am going to -ause getting that as well. i am going to ause ou getting that as well. i am going to pause you there. _ getting that as well. i am going to pause you there, you _ getting that as well. i am going to pause you there, you will- getting that as well. i am going to pause you there, you will keep i getting that as well. i am going to pause you there, you will keep an| pause you there, you will keep an eye across the chamber and we will be straight back to holyrood as soon as that announcement is due. let me speak now to laura young who is an environmental scientist and climate change activist. thank you for joining us on bbc news. i wondered if i could first get your reaction to the news that they are looking like they are going to scrap this key climate change target in scotland. ~ , scotland. well, utterly disappointment. i scotland. well, utterly i disappointment. particularly scotland. well, utterly _ disappointment. particularly because scottish government officials and representatives have for many years gone all over the world talking about how amazing and world leading their climate targets and climate actions were. and particularly

scotland was the first country to declare a climate emergency. always looking pretty positive, but this is extremely disappointing to know that this target is basically being scrapped, that is what we are expecting to hear. what it says to us is that the scottish government knows that they are not on target, they have failed the last eight out of 12 targets that they have set themselves and it looks like they are just removing themselves and it looks like they arejust removing it themselves and it looks like they are just removing it so that they can remove accountability and to look like they are not failing as much as they are. very disappointing that we are not seeing them being open and honest about progress pulling their socks up, instead they are sweeping it under the rug and trying tojust remove are sweeping it under the rug and trying to just remove it. are trying to 'ust remove it. are tar: ets trying to just remove it. are targets enough _ trying to just remove it. are targets enough in _ trying tojust remove it. are targets enough in tackling climate change or is there actually you have to change the psyche of people as well to actually get everyday people to do more to tackle the climate change, swapping from petrol or diesel cars to an electric cars, looking at how much electricity and

oil and every other carbon fuel that we use? flit oil and every other carbon fuel that we use? . ., , oil and every other carbon fuel that we use? _, , ., ., ., oil and every other carbon fuel that we use? , ., ., ., , we use? of course, a target on its own is kind _ we use? of course, a target on its own is kind of _ we use? of course, a target on its own is kind of meaningless, i we use? of course, a target on its own is kind of meaningless, and l we use? of course, a target on its i own is kind of meaningless, and even more meaningless, as we have seen today if it gets removed or ignored. what we need targets poised to keep us on track to understand if we are making progress or not, but also to hold our government accountable. if this target is removed and potentially other annual targets, how are we supposed to keep track and keep accountable our until 20a5, which is the net zero targets they are saying they will keep? it is important that we have that to track progress and keep them accountable. but it is also about the message that it sends. many individuals are trying their best to live more sustainable lifestyles, taking an active travel, getting electric cars, buying less stuff that is brand—new, lots of businesses are trying to trying to innovate to reduce waste and carbon footprints, but what does it say when the government is not willing to keep their own targets and keep progress

on track? particularly relook at a different policy areas, there are many different low hanging fruit policies, things like insulation and double glazing poor infrastructure, really starting to embrace creativity and innovation in bringing public transport into more accessible and affordable ways for people to use it. these are things that the scottish government has not been trying hard enough on. other industry such as agriculture, lots of things they could be doing more in. it is disappointing at leeds a lot of mixed messages for people, communities and businesses that have been playing their part. do communities and businesses that have been playing their part.— been playing their part. do you think there _ been playing their part. do you think there needs _ been playing their part. do you think there needs to _ been playing their part. do you think there needs to be - been playing their part. do you think there needs to be more | been playing their part. do you i think there needs to be more joined think there needs to be morejoined up think there needs to be morejoined up fought across the whole of the united kingdom so that we do, as a whole, aim to get to those targets that are being set? flit whole, aim to get to those targets that are being set?— whole, aim to get to those targets that are being set? of course, it is imortant that are being set? of course, it is important to _ that are being set? of course, it is important to highlight _ that are being set? of course, it is important to highlight that - that are being set? of course, it is important to highlight that today l that are being set? of course, it is. important to highlight that today we have been massively let down by the snp and the green government in scotland. this is not the first pledge that has been rolled back. we have seen the conservatives will back on many different environmental

pledges from across venice minister and of course labour have pulled back massive amounts of funding for the green economy. across the board, political parties need to do a lot better, because ultimately climate change is going to keep coming. even just looking at things like the extreme flooding that we have seen and the energy crisis that we have seen, these are issues that don't just impact the physical environment with people as well. we need parties to make this a priority and we need collaboration between parties and between nations, that will be absolutely key to reaching these targets and getting the climate action that mightjust benefit us but will also benefit people around the world. we but will also benefit people around the world. ~ , ., ., the world. we understand that the final aim of _ the world. we understand that the final aim of reaching _ the world. we understand that the final aim of reaching net _ the world. we understand that the final aim of reaching net zero i the world. we understand that the final aim of reaching net zero by i final aim of reaching net zero by 20a5 will remain, if that is the case, it obviously means it is going to be accelerated that he really get 20a5. to be accelerated that he really get 2045. ~ , ,., , to be accelerated that he really get 2045. ~ , ,., y , to be accelerated that he really get 2045. y , ~ 2045. absolutely. it feels like we are kicking _ 2045. absolutely. it feels like we are kicking the _ 2045. absolutely. it feels like we are kicking the can _ 2045. absolutely. it feels like we are kicking the can down - 2045. absolutely. it feels like we are kicking the can down the i 2045. absolutely. it feels like we l are kicking the can down the road, and what i hope the scottish government will hear from the many different voices that are

disappointed today is that we want to see more action, and there are many different policies that we want them to try and take. looking at public transport, heating and infrastructure, industry, agriculture, there is a lot that they need to be doing now and are not leaving it until 20a0 20a2 or 20aa, we need to really prioritise this now so that we are not panicking when it comes closer to that net zero targets. it will be easier of a transition if we take off chunks as we go rather than leaving it too late. share off chunks as we go rather than leaving it too late.— leaving it too late. are you optimistic _ leaving it too late. are you optimistic that _ leaving it too late. are you optimistic that that - leaving it too late. are you optimistic that that will i leaving it too late. are you i optimistic that that will happen? today, no, iwill optimistic that that will happen? today, no, i will be honest with you. i am optimistic because we know what we have to do, we know what policies will help us bring down our carbon emissions and we know what policies will help us become more climate resilient to the impact of climate resilient to the impact of climate change that we are already seeing. we know what technology we need and we know the policies. we know the solutions, we just need businesses and governments to actually take action to put the

political will and the money in place where it is needed. but it is not ground—breaking science that we need to do any more, we just need to on with it. i need to do any more, we 'ust need to on with it. , , ., ., ., on with it. i suppose scotland and even the uk _ on with it. i suppose scotland and even the uk is _ on with it. i suppose scotland and even the uk is a _ on with it. i suppose scotland and even the uk is a very _ on with it. i suppose scotland and even the uk is a very small i on with it. i suppose scotland and even the uk is a very small cog i on with it. i suppose scotland and even the uk is a very small cog in j on with it. i suppose scotland and i even the uk is a very small cog in a much bigger wheel. that is globally and how we tackle climate change. scotland could be agile and creative, being a smaller country we could trial things and check them out to see how they work, which is what other smaller countries are able to do. that can be used as a case study to extrapolate up and see how we can make these changes on a much bigger scale. what of course have today is lots of environ mental groups talking about the embarrassment that we now have, which was scotland boasting about being a world leading climate action country with amazing targets and is now rolling back on this, which is

incredibly disappointing. what scotland could do is harness the fact that it has lots of natural assets, things like wind, that we could totally harness, and lots of innovation and technology and agility and creativity, but what we are not doing is any of that and instead are rolling back these targets which are stalling progress and giving a lot of mixed messages to everyday people who are just trying their best to be more sustainable.— sustainable. laura young, environment _ sustainable. laura young, environment or— sustainable. laura young, environment or scientist l sustainable. laura young, i environment or scientist and sustainable. laura young, _ environment or scientist and climate activist, thank you very much, do stay with us. we are awaiting the statement from the scottish net zero secretary in holyrood. this is the proceedings that are going on inside parliament at the moment. 0ur political correspondent in scotland is still with us. andrew, just explain for viewers who are just joining us what we are expecting over the next half an hour. this has been quite — over the next half an hour. this has been quite a _ over the next half an hour. this has been quite a major _ over the next half an hour. this has been quite a major row _ over the next half an hour. this has been quite a major row in _ over the next half an hour. this has been quite a major row in scotland. a significant day in the scottish parliament as we await this

announcement. we broke the news last night that the scottish government was going to get rid of their planned aim of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. but they do still say they are on course to maintain that goal of reaching net zero by 20a5. just to recap again, this comes after a few weeks after the independent committee on climate change had said that 2030 goal was now unreachable. so the government have obviously felt that there is a need for a more realistic approach when it comes to their climate targets, but as we have been hearing from the last guest, there has been talk of this being embarrassing for the scottish government. forthe embarrassing for the scottish government. for the greens of course you are in government with the snp here in edinburgh. it has been quite difficult for them. a difficult time for them over the past 2a hours as this became public knowledge. we are going to be hearing from the net

zero secretary in parliamentjust shortly. they are still taking questions on housing at the moment. we should be hearing from her. parliament does have a tendency to run a bit late sometimes. there was a government briefing to journalists just a short time ago, some of the questions that included whether the first minister ever believed in the 2030 target and the government were saying that 2030 was a stretch and ambitious, and it is ambitious as well. preparing for the net zero secretary to take her place to give her statement. to take her place to give her statement-— to take her place to give her statement. . , ., ., _ statement. that will be followed by some questions _ statement. that will be followed by some questions from _ statement. that will be followed by some questions from the _ statement. that will be followed by l some questions from the opposition. the conservative saying this is an embarrassment for the government and a similar line from the labour party as well. arian burgess was almost

shouted down by conservative members laughing. they were told off by the presiding officer. it is laughing. they were told off by the presiding officer.— presiding officer. it is 'ust startina presiding officer. it is 'ust starting so i presiding officer. it is 'ust starting so let's i presiding officer. it isjust starting so let's listen i presiding officer. it isjust starting so let's listen in. | the government remains responsible for ensuring that such information is not reported by the media before the parliament lands of it. i have spoken to the minutes of parliamentary business and i have asked that the cabinet secretary apologises to the chamber for this breach. the chamber will be aware that i have previously disallowed statements however the information reported in the press today is key to actions that may impact on

legislation in this parliament and the way