An influential committee has slammed the Scottish Government’s progress towards its net zero targets as ‘no longer credible’ in a damning report.

A newly published assessment by the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) has found that continued delays to the updated climate change plan and further slippage in promised climate policies mean that the CCC no longer believes the Scottish Government will meet its statutory 2030 goal to reduce emissions by 75%.

It argues there is no comprehensive strategy for Scotland to decarbonise towards net zero.

NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy has cautioned that quality food production must not be compromised in the pursuit of climate change targets.

He said: “Whilst we accept we need to do more to reduce our emissions, home grown food production must not be compromised at the expense of simply meeting targets.

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“The unintended consequences of not adhering to a just transition, which is also a legal requirement, would lead to the exact opposite of what society is trying to achieve.

“From a global perspective, sustainable food production that also provides huge benefits to rural communities and the environment, is something we do extremely well here in Scotland.

“To risk losing that would offshore our high animal welfare and crop growing standards to the benefit of more imports that does nothing for climate change, the environment or indeed our own economy.”

The Scottish Government delayed its draft Climate Change Plan last year despite the 2030 target only being six years away.

This has left a significant period without sufficient actions or policies to reach the target - the required acceleration in emissions reduction in Scotland is now beyond what is credible.

Professor Piers Forster, interim chair of the CCC said: “Scotland has laudable ambitions to decarbonise, but it isn’t enough to set a target - the government must act.

“There are risks in all reviewed areas, including those with significant policy powers devolved to the Scottish Government.

“Scotland’s Climate Change Plan needs to be published urgently, so we can assess it. We need to see actions that will deliver on its future targets.”

Scotland missed its annual target for 2021, the eighth time in the past 12 years that they have missed a target.

The only sectors to reduce emissions in 2021 were electricity supply and industry. Most key indicators of delivery progress, such as tree planting, peatland restoration rates and heat pump installations are off track.

The CCC say actions required include the Good Food Nation Plan should seek to provide further detail on the emissions reduction potential of dietary choices, particularly relating to meat and dairy consumption.

It also highlights a lack of detail on the financial support framework in the agriculture bill and argues that the Scottish Government should set out how future support systems will integrate and address the objectives for food, nature, and climate.

NFUS policy director Jonnie Hall warned: “The sooner all farmers and crofters can start to implement change, knowing what they’re to do and why under the new framework of support, the better.

“On the other hand, any further delays in implementing new measures will only increase the risk of Scottish agriculture falling short of what will be expected in the delayed Climate Change Plan Update from Scottish Government.”

Net zero minister Mairi McAllan is considering the report before responding.