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A new 2020 Delivery Group aims to ensure that all sectors of Scotland's economy and civic society contribute fully to achieving the Climate Change Delivery Plan which includes the target of a 42 per cent reduction in emissions over the next decade.

The group, convened by Scottish and Southern Energy Chief Executive Ian Marchant, met for the first time at the Falkirk Wheel this morning as the UN Climate Change Conference continued in Copenhagen.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:

"There should be no doubt that climate change is the greatest environmental threat we face, so we must act now, and act together, to tackle it.

"And there should be no doubt about the commitment of the Scottish Government, Parliament and our private, public and third sector partners to tackling climate change. This new group brings together a wide range of expertise to examine in detail the actions needed across Scotland to meet our ambitious climate change targets.

"Not only does our climate change legislation have the most ambitious targets in the world, it includes a clear strategy to implement them and today is a key part of that.

"Our comprehensive climate change framework, including the world-leading emission reduction targets of 42 per cent and 80 per cent by 2020 and 2050 respectively, and the carbon assessment of our 2010-11 budget, provides a lead to other governments looking to Scotland as a model of international best practice.

"While prevented from joining the UK delegation at the UN summit - unlike the position of other devolved national and regional governments - our global engagement continues, led in Copenhagen next week by our Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson.

"The Scottish Government is also working to secure our place as the green energy capital of Europe through direct investment and initiatives such as our £10m Saltire Prize for renewable marine energy innovation. And we are well on track to meet our targets of 31 per cent renewable electricity demand by 2011 and 50 per cent by 2020.

"Of course, Scotland is already experiencing climate change and we continue to build our resilience to the potential risks that brings, such as increased flooding. Again we are leading the way as one of very few countries to adopt a strategic approach to adaptation. This is set out in the Climate Change Adaptation Framework that I'm publishing today and whose approach could be adopted by other countries."

Mr Marchant said:

"Climate change and delivering an economy based on securing sustainable energy sources are twin challenges for Scotland's environment, economy and people.

"Government alone cannot hope to tackle these challenges. This is where the proposal for the 2020 delivery group has come from; a view that those key people in Scotland who are in a position to contribute or influence action should work together.

"It is fitting that we meet for the first time as the summit in Copenhagen gets under way, as it sends a strong message to that summit, that here in Scotland we are demonstrating leadership and acting positively to deliver the changes that are necessary.

"Today we initiate a process, and anyone who feels they have something to offer in support of practical delivery will be invited to contribute as the group sets out its work programme."

The 2020 Delivery Group members are:

• Ian Marchant, Chief Executive, Scottish and Southern Energy
• Richard Ackroyd, Chief Executive, Scottish Water
• Lesley Ballantyne, Chief Executive, John Lewis Partnership Glasgow
• Prof Jan Bebbington, Vice Chair, Sustainable Development Commission, Scotland
• Jo Bucci, Chief Executive, People's Postcode Lottery
• Brendan Dick, Director, BT Scotland (represented on December 8 by Anna Steven)
• Dr Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive, Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Gordon Grant, Grangemouth Works General Manager, INEOS
• Ronnie Hinds, Chief Executive, Fife Council
• Nick Horler, Chief Executive, ScottishPower
• Graham Hutcheon, Operations Director, Edrington Group
• Josh Kane, Scottish Youth Parliament (represented on December 8 by Iain Fleming)
• David Lee, freelance writer and media consultant
• John Mason, Director, Climate Change & Water Industry, Scottish Government
• Ian McKay, Scottish Director, Royal Mail Group
• Dr Simon Pepper, climate change adviser
• Lady Susan Rice, Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland
• Mike Robinson, Chairperson, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland
• Nicola Shaw, Managing Director, FirstGroup
• Grahame Smith, General Secretary, STUC (unable to attend on December 8)
• Brian Souter, Chief Executive, Stagecoach
• Michael Tracey, Managing Director, William Tracey Ltd
• James Withers, Chief Executive, NFU Scotland
• Jane Wood, Chief Executive, Scottish Business in the Community

The working remit for the 2020 group, to be discussed at today's meeting, is to:

• build on the work of the Climate Change Business Delivery Group and other climate change alliances to provide strong, visible leadership to Scotland's business and non-governmental communities to inspire them to do more to reduce carbon emissions
• help drive innovation through partnerships and synergies between members
• advise on, and aim to make early progress towards, achievement of the outcomes and targets of the Climate Change Delivery Plan
• identify relevant action and opportunities, and collaborate, to bring benefits to the Scottish economy
• identify where the group can best target its resources and expertise to accelerate the development, investment and action required across the following areas: Heat, Electricity, Waste, Transport, Rural land use & forestry, Consumer behaviour & attitudes

Scotland's Climate Change Adaptation Framework, published today, will drive action to make Scotland more resilient to climate change.

In releasing the Framework, the Scottish Government is taking a coordinated, strategic lead and is challenging all sectors to take action and play their part capitalising on the opportunities and adapting to the negative consequences of climate change.

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