This briefing relates to the Scottish Government's Draft Climate Change Plan: 2026 - 2040. It provides background information on climate change, related legislation and targets, and key issues.

The Ecocide (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament by Monica Lennon MSP on 29 May 2025. This Member's Bill seeks to create a criminal offence of ecocide.

This briefing summarises consideration of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill in advance of Stage 3.

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill makes provisions in relation to community engagement, community right to buy, the lotting of large land holdings, and the establishment of a Land and Communities Commissioner. It also provides for changes in agricultural tenancies and small landholdings.

This briefing has been produced by researchers in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe). It provides updates on some of the key issues SPICe identified as likely to be of particular interest at the start of Session 6 along with a number of new policy issues that have emerged since May 2021.The briefing is intended to assist MSPs and their staff, who are encouraged to contact SPICe if they require further information on these or any other topics.

The Scottish Government introduced the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill in September 2023. The bill gives Scottish Ministers the powers to develop a new package of rural policy and support. This briefing includes an explanation of what the bill does, as well as background information on rural policy development to date.