On climate change, Ms Cunningham says the government are on track to exceed its 2020 target for a 42% reduction from baseline levels and she looks forward to presenting the next set of figures covering emissions in 2014, to Parliament after their release on 14 June.

Image source, PA

The cabinet secretary says the government will establish a new and more testing target for 2020 - of reducing actual Scottish emissions by at least 50%.

Ms Cunningham says she will consider fully the findings from Lord Bonomy’s review of current measures to protect wild mammals such as foxes from being hunted with dogs. 

Image source, Mike Baker

The environment, climate change and land reform secretary moves to land use and land reform.

Ms Cunningham also refers to the government's biodiversity strategy.

Ms Cunningham now moves on to Scotland's water saying the abundant resource must be managed to maximise its potential.

The cabinet secretary details plans to protect against flooding. 

Drilling companies suggest trillions of cubic feet of shale gas may be recoverable from underneath parts of the UK through a process known as "fracking".

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique designed to recover gas and oil from shale rock.

Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside.

Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well.

The process can be carried out vertically or, more commonly, by drilling horizontally to the rock layer and can create new pathways to release gas or can be used to extend existing channels.

The term fracking refers to how the rock is fractured apart by the high pressure mixture.

The cabinet secretary says the environment is a public good that we need to protect and grow.

Ms Cunningham says the government is deeply sceptical about fracking, hence the moratorium and the thorough research.

Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham begins by taking every credit for the sunny weather in Scotland.... a bold start.

Ms Cunningham says Scotland's environment is one our most valuable assets.

Here's the motion, external from Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham. 

Image source, Scottish government

Ms Surgeon turns to her nominations of James Wolffe QC for Lord Advocate and Alison Di Rollo for Solicitor General.

MSPs unanimously agree the nominations.

Ms Sturgeon pays warm tribute to the outgoing Frank Mulholland and Lesley Thomson for their outstanding contributions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the positions of Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General are "weighty positions". 

Ms Sturgeon begins by paying tribute to the departing law officers. 

Here's the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's motion, external for the appointment of law officers.

Image source, Scottish government

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh gets us underway as ever.  

Nicola Sturgeon has put forward her candidates for the roles of Scotland's top law officers.

James Wolffe QC and Alison Di Rollo have been nominated for the posts of Lord Advocate and Solicitor General.

Subject to the approval of parliament, Mr Wolffe will take over from Frank Mulholland, who stepped down as Lord Advocate at the Holyrood election.

Senior advocate depute Ms Di Rollo will succeed Lesley Thomson, who has been the Solicitor General since 2011.

If approved by MSPs and appointed by the Queen, the pair will become the final members of Ms Sturgeon's ministerial team.

The first minister said she was "extremely pleased" to recommend Mr Wolffe and Ms Di Rollo for the posts.

Image source, Reuters

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will now call on MSPs to back her nominations for the roles of Scotland's top law officers. 

MSPs will then debate the environment, climate change and land reform from 14:35.

The SNP's manifesto for the Holyrood election committed to there being no fracking in Scotland "unless it can be proven beyond doubt that there is no risk to health, communities or the environment".

Scottish Labour, the Scottish Lib Dems and the Scottish Greens favour an immediate and outright ban, while Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "highly sceptical" about the technique.

The Scottish Conservatives would like to see the decision as to whether there should be a moratorium on fracking taken by communities.

Image source, bbc

The Scottish Parliament will shortly debate a ban on fracking as part of a Scottish government debate on the environment and land reform.

New Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will lead the debate calling for a "sustainable low-carbon economy".

Scottish Labour has tabled an amendment calling for a full ban on fracking, while the Greens have another speaking against the process.

The Scottish government currently has a moratorium on the controversial method of oil and gas extraction.