Here are the main points of his announcement to the Scottish Parliament

• The Scottish government will bring forward a Climate Change Bill to parliament, possibly not until late 2008.
• It will set a mandatory long-term target to achieve an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050, equivalent to cuts of 3% each year.
• The government will consult for proposals in the bill for targets based on average annual reductions over a five-year period.
• Future legislation should set out mandatory requirements for reporting to parliament on performance in achieving the targets.
• The government will propose a statutory process of ministerial accountability and "compensating action" in the event of a failure to meet reduction targets, but it does not see "value" in penalty fines for such failings.
• Independent expert advice will be called upon to help draw up policy.
• Possible new, separate legislation to tackle flooding issues could be brought forward.
• The government will help Scotland become Europe's green energy capital and help Scottish industry invest in "low-carbon" technology.
• It will hold a full consultation on the bill and work to gain consensus with other political parties, while liaising with UK, Northern Ireland and Welsh ministers.
• It said reducing Scotland's emissions by 80% will make "no difference" to the global environment unless similar reductions are realised in global emissions.