Brexit could pose a risk to Scotland's efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has warned.
Ministers are preparing to publish the Scottish Government's third draft climate change plan on Thursday, setting out policies and proposals for cutting emissions.
Speaking in advance of its publication, Ms Cunningham said the vote to leave the European Union (EU) could threaten Scotland's environmental interests.
Scotland exceeded its target of delivering a 42% cut in emissions by 2020 six years early.
Ms Cunningham said: "The European Union has been a significant driver of environmental policy and legislation for the last 40 years.
"As consumers, we have benefited from EU rules and as a society we have achieved a high level of environmental protection and measures to combat climate change.
"This has helped Scotland progress our world-leading low carbon ambitions.
"We must continue to do our utmost to protect our position as climate change leaders and to continue to play the role that we have been playing in contributing to EU-wide environmental policies.
"EU climate leadership and diplomacy, and being able to negotiate on level terms with the USA, China and India, was central to delivering an ambitious international climate agreement.
"Next week the Scottish Government will publish its draft climate change plan, which will set out policies and proposals to reduce emissions, and show how everyone can play a role in tackling climate change.
"This action is crucial as tackling climate change is an investment in our economy and our environment."
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