The SNP and the Scottish Greens have given details of their a new power-sharing partnership at Holyrood
Two Green MSPs will be appointed as a junior ministers in Nicola Sturgeon's government
The SNP leader says they will work to build a "greener, fairer, independent Scotland"
The agreement includes a commitment to hold a Scottish independence referendum in the first half of the current Holyrood term if the Covid crisis has passed
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie says they will work together on a "green recovery" while retaining "distinctive voices"
His fellow co-leader Lorna Slater says the deal includes spending commitments on greener transport, home energy efficiency and an energy transition fund
The Greens will sign up to the bulk of government policy but reserve the right to criticise in some key areas
These include aviation policy, international relations, fee-paying schools and Nato membership should Scotland become independent
The deal - which will be put to Scottish Green members for approval next week - could take the Greens into government for the first time anywhere in the UK
The agreement reaffirms the shared commitment of the two parties to securing independence, Ms Sturgeon says.
She says the deal sets out a process of co-operation and consultation that will enable a "stable" parliamentary majority for the Scottish government's legislative and policy programme.
And, for the first time ever in UK politics, it will see Greens enter government as ministers, she says.
The SNP and the Scottish Greens will maintain distinctive identities, the first minister says.
"This is not a coalition and we do not agree on everything, " she says.
"But we are coming out of our comfort zones to focus on what we do agree on."
The first minister says we live in a time when the challenges we face have rarely been greater, citing a climate emergency, a global pandemic and an "assault by the UK government on the powers of our own parliament".
She also says we are dealing with the consequences of a "disastrous" Brexit that Scotland did not vote for.
Ms Sturgeon says the agreement with the Greens is about doing politics and governance better.
She wants to replace division and acrimony with co-operation and collaboration.
Ms Sturgeon says consensus-building is in the spirit of the founding principles of the Scottish Parliament.
The first details of the power-sharing deal, external have emerged. Here are some of the main points:
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon begins her speech by saying she is "delighted" that the Scottish government has reached a proposed co-operation agreement with the Scottish Greens.
She says they will work together to build a "greener, fairer, independent Scotland".
Image source, Getty ImagesFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater will officially confirm their power-sharing agreement at Bute House shortly.
Stay with us for all the latest announcements and analysis.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, PA MediaThe deal has been struck with less than three months to go until the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
The Greens have been pressing the Scottish government to go further in tackling global warming in exchange for their support, and want it to take a tougher stance against new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe SNP and the Scottish Greens have spent the summer thrashing out the details of a co-operation agreement which would see the parties work together at Holyrood.
The Scottish government has a five-year parliamentary plan of policies and priorities.
It shares similar views with the Greens on the need to tackle the climate emergency - but what else do they agree and disagree on?
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Glenn Campbell
BBC Scotland Political Editor
This new power-sharing partnership will take Greens into government for the first time anywhere in the UK.
That may have particular resonance in the months before the UN climate summit - COP26 - is held in Glasgow.
For Greens, it is about maximising policy influence, especially when it comes to tackling global warming.
For the SNP, it is about creating a more stable administration, able to see off opposition ambush.
Whatever else is agreed, this tie-up will give the Scottish government a majority at Holyrood to pass budgets, win confidence votes and make legislation - including for another independence referendum.
It looks a lot like a coalition but crucially the Greens have opt-outs from policies they don't like - retaining the ability to criticise the government of which they would become part
Image source, Scottish GreensScottish Greens co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie
The deal takes the Greens into government for the first time anywhere in the UK.
It also gives the Scottish government a majority to pass legislation including a new independence referendum bill.
At least one Green MSP is expected to be appointed as a junior minister in Nicola Sturgeon's government.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage as the SNP and Scottish Greens announce a power-sharing deal at Holyrood.
The Scottish cabinet met virtually this morning to approve the proposal.
It will be officially announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater.
You can follow our coverage here, or by clicking on the tabs above.