Scotland is now exactly halfway to net zero – and our commitment to ending our contribution to global emissions by 2045 at the latest, is unwavering.

Tomorrow marks the start of Scotland’s Climate Week, a chance to celebrate the action that people, communities and organisations are already taking right across the country to help tackle climate change.

It is also an opportunity to inspire others — from the way we heat and power our homes, to the way we choose to travel for every day, short journeys — there are a range of actions we can all take to help in the fight against climate change.

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As a government we are continuing action on net zero, exploring the opportunities a just transition can bring to transforming our economy and our society as a whole.

Our recently launched Green Industrial Strategy highlights the crucial role our renewable energy sector will play in supporting our net zero ambitions as well as growing our economy.

It also shows how, with the right focus, support, investment and partnerships, Scottish businesses can innovate, capture new markets, create new jobs and diversify the workforce, all while solving problems with new products and selling their expertise to the world.

We are protecting public health by introducing measures to contribute clean air to our cities.

Scotland has the most comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging points per head of population in the UK, outside of London, and over the past year we have introduced Low Emissions zones in a number of our cities.

Gillian Martin will attend New York Climate Week (Image: PA)

In recent years more than 75% of all tree planting in the UK has been in Scotland. And we have brought forward legislation to modernise and improve our waste and recycling services throughout the whole country.

As we address the causes of climate change, we also must deal with the impact it is already having on our planet, which is why we will shortly be launching our Scottish National Adaptation Plan 3.

The plan will set out 200 different actions which can be taken to support members of the public in protecting lives and livelihoods in the face of a changing climate.

We are also playing our part internationally to tackle climate change.

That is why I am attending the upcoming New York Climate Week, to represent Scotland on a global stage and take part in meaningful discussions around the future of our planet.

As a devolved country, there is a key influential role Scotland can play internationally in a global transition to a net zero and climate resilient future in a way that is fair and just for all.

As European Co-Chair of the Under2 Coalition, and newly elected President of the Regions4 Network, Scotland holds vital leadership positions within groups inspiring climate action at the devolved, state and regional level.

In these roles we drive international cooperation, and ensure that the voices of those most affected by climate change are heard.

We were the first Global North government to commit finance explicitly to address loss and damage and have helped to galvanise global ambition with over $750 million now committed worldwide.

During New York Climate Week I will meet with organisations who are supporting our work on loss and damage in countries such as Malawi, following the devastation of tropical storm Freddy and learn more about the impact the support we have provided through our Humanitarian Emergency Fund is having — particularly in relation to projects with actions focused on the effects of climate change — a hallmark of our approach domestically as well as internationally.

I will also outline Scotland’s work on loss and damage during a panel discussion on tackling accessibility in climate funding, meet with Under2 Global Ministers to discuss the Under2 strategy and Scotland’s vision for a third term of co-chairmanship, and meet with my counterpart at the U.S. Department of State to discuss our approaches to energy and just transition.

Our commitment to ending Scotland’s contribution to global emissions as soon as possible, and by 2045 at the latest, is unwavering.

However, I know that the most difficult part of the journey lies ahead.

That is why opportunities like Scotland’s Climate Week are crucial, to ensure Scotland continues to lead on climate action that is fair and ambitious, that brings people along with us on that journey and inspires us all to rise to the challenge of tackling the climate emergency.

Gillian Martin MSP is the Scottish Government's Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary.