THE Scottish Government has blamed cold weather after figures revealed a rise in environmentally damaging emissions.

Scotland's latest carbon footprint was equivalent to 82.2 million tonnes of CO2, up 4% between 2009 and 2010.

Growing imports and increased car use both contributed to the rise, an official report said.

Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie said: "It's deeply worrying that Scotland's carbon footprint has returned to an upward trajectory."

Environment and climate change minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "While the slight increase in emissions in 2010 is disappointing, it is in part due to the particularly cold weather and the associated increase in emissions from household heating."