Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish greenhouse gas emissions annual target report: 2016 , externalwas the seventh annual report.

The report shows both annual and domestic effort targets were met.

However, it also said Scotland's emissions increased by 2.5 per cent in 2016 on the previous year.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham begins by welcoming the recent IPCC intervention on climate change which highlighted the need for far-reaching change.

All countries, as well as businesses and individuals, need to act now if the Paris agreement is to be met, she says.

Scotland has already reduced its emissions by almost half and the new bill sets targets for the most stretching statutory goals, Ms Cunningham insists.

The cabinet secretary says the Just Transition Commission will provide advice on how to transition to a low carbon society in the fairest way possible.

Scotland will set a target date for a net zero emissions as soon as this can be done credibly and responsibly, she says.

BBC environment correspondent Matt McGrath outlines five key takeaways fromone of the most important reports on rising temperatures issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Their study, on the impacts and possible methods of keeping temperatures from warming by more than 1.5C, has just been launched in South Korea.

It is 'seriously alarming' but surprisingly hopeful

Image source, Getty Images

There's no doubt that this dense, science-heavy, 33-page summary is the most significant warning about the impact of climate change in 20 years.

"It is seriously alarming," Amjad Abdulla, a lead author on one of the chapters from the Maldives, told BBC News.

"The small islands will be the first, but nobody can escape; it is quite clear."

But while the warnings about the dangers of letting temperatures go beyond 1.5C are dire, the report says, surprisingly perhaps, that the world can keep below the limit.

Read more here.

• Fast fashion is harming the planet, MPs say
• Vietnam's children and the fear of climate change
• What could be wiped out by temperature rise
• What is climate change?

Image source, Getty Images

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham is making a statement on the emissions annual target report 2016.

Image source, Getty Images/BBC

After lunch, the environment secretary will make a statement on the latest annual emissions target report.

Then the transport secretary will provide an update on the Aberdeen bypass.

The rest of the afternoon will be given over to a debate on supporting asylum seekers.

Children Minister Maree Todd points to the policy framework which makes play a foundation of education.

The Scottish government has provided £820,000 to support eight local authorities to increase access to the outdoors as a focus of the early learning and childcare expansion, Ms Todd says.

Outdoor play is absolutely vital to children's development the minister says and she reiterates the government's commitment to this agenda.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says we need to develop good habits in children and help them understand the fun they can have outdoors.

"Children and play - they should just go together, those words should go together."

We must ensure that the right to play happens, she argues.

Outdoor learning can have a positive impact on children's development but it needs to be formally adopted, external, a report suggests.

Childhoods were dramatically changing, with fewer opportunities to spend time outdoors, researchers observed.

The loss of exposure to the natural environment would have negative long-term consequences, they warned.

Establishing an "outdoor learning hub" would help teachers, and help shape policies and strategy, they suggested.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Jenny Marra asks about putting in place standards across the board on time spent outside at clubs.

I think there should be a presumption that children are outside unless the weather prevents them from doing so, she states.

Noting there have been a few cases of rickets in Scotland recently, Ms Marra points to the health benefits of having children outside in the sunshine.

Image source, Outdoor Classroom Day

Outdoor Classroom Day, external is a worldwide initiative to highlight the benefits of outdoor learning and play.

It takes place on two days each year to ensure it fits into the term time of as many schools as possible.

Today is one of the days - the next will take place on Thursday 23 May 2019.

Tory MSP Liz Smith recalls "roaming freely" as a child which built a curiosity about the world.

She highlights research indicating 99% of teachers in the UK value the importance of outdoor play.

Ms Smith expresses concern about "cotton wool culture", suggesting there are "too many excuses for parents to cling to" in terms of over-protecting their child.

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire says play is not just nice to have, but it helps improve children's physical and mental health.

Children and adults have less stress and are more relaxed when they spend time outside, she says.

Ms Maguire calls for playtime at school to last for at least 60 minutes.

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire is leading a debate to highlight Outdoor Classroom Day.

Image source, Scottish parliament

The RMT has said it is appalled that high-speed trains being brought into service in Scotland will dump human waste onto train tracks.

The rail union said the practice,which had ceased after a deal with ScotRail in 2017, would result in its members being "sprayed with human waste".

The trains are being used as an interim measure pending the arrival of a new fleet of refurbished trains.

ScotRail described the situation as "far from ideal".

Read more.

Ms Sturgeon says she is fully aware of the issues ScotRail have to address, but she points out bad weather impacted on the statistics and calls for the full devolution of Network Rail.

Mr Rumbles says more services are running late.

He adds: "ScotRail's performance quite frankly stinks."

The Lib Dem MSP cites human waste on the tracks due to old trains.

The first minister replies ScotRail are working to address this issue.