Ms Cunningham highlights the Climate Change Bill will help tackle emissions.

The legislation currently going through the Scottish Parliament now sets tougher new targets for greenhouse gas emissions with a "net-zero" date being set for 2045.

The minister accepts transport emissions are rising, but insists the active travel budget continues to be a priority and points to the creation of low emission zones.

She also mentions the controversial plans for a workplace parking levy.

Ms Cunningham says reductions of emissions in the agriculture industry is being looked at and she points out farmers are contributing to reductions in emissions through tree planting.

Environment and Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham begins her statement by saying 2019 is a significant year for Scotland's response to climate change.

Ms Cunningham explains, however, today's statement looks back at 2017 - prior to the climate change action plan.

She explains total emissions fell by 3.3%, but with technical revisions long term progress is not so positive.

The minister says the Emissions Trading System (ETS) means adjusted emissions, used for setting targets, increased by 3.7%.

This means the annual target has therefore been missed by around 2.5 million tonnes.

Environment and Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will make a statement on the 2017 greenhouse gas emissions figures.

The statement is an annual update.

Image source, Getty Images

Published yesterday, figures revealed the Scottish government has officially missed its target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Although total emissions fell by 3.3%, Scotland's participation in the EU-wide Emissions Trading System (ETS) means adjusted emissions, used for setting targets, increased by 3.7%.

It means Scotland has officially reduced its emissions by 39.1% since 1990.

However, "source emissions", which exclude the ETS, are down 46.8%.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf says custodial arrangements for women in the north of Scotland will remain as they are at present, where they are accommodated for at HMP or YOI Grampian.

Ms Grant highlights the long distances families of prisoners have to travel for visitation, which impacts children especially.

She calls for female accommodation in Inverness to be made a priority.

Mr Yousaf says it is a difficult issue and the numbers involved are very small, so the resolution is not as simple as building a community custody unit.

Image source, SPS

A project to build a new prison for the north of Scotland has been delayed until 2023 at the earliest.

HMP Highland has been proposed as a replacement for Inverness Prison, which was opened in 1902.

Planning permission for the new facility on a site near Inverness Retail Park was granted in 2017.

The Scottish government said it was committed to the project but other priorities had to be met first.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant asks about plans to provide facilities for female prisoners in the Highlands, in light of the plans for the new Inverness prison being shelved until 2023.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson says the review is "progressing on schedule" and 11 regional groups have been established.

This follows publication of the Borders Corridor Study, while the South West Transport Study will be published later this month, he adds.

Ms McAlpine asks about better linking Dumfries with the central belt.

Part of the South West Transport Study covers this link, the cabinet secretary replies.

Image source, Dougie Johnston

The UK government has announced its backing for a feasibility study into extending the Borders Railway.

It could see the line from Edinburgh to Tweedbank taken to Hawick and Newcastleton and then on to Carlisle.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell confirmed his government's support - as part of the Borderlands growth deal - in a letter to MP John Lamont.

Transport Scotland said it understood the importance of connectivity in the area and had already completed its Borders Transport Corridor Study.

"This identified the option of extending the Borders Railway to Carlisle as one of 21 potential transport interventions for further consideration through our strategic transport projects review," a statement added.

Read more.

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine asks about progress with the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Portfolio questions will cover transport and justice.

Then Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will make the annual greenhouse gas emissions statement, followed by Veterans Minister Graeme Dey providing an update on the veterans strategy.

Image source, AFP/PA

MSPs will debate the Census (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill for the final time.

Ending the day is a member's debate on housing co-operatives led by Labour MSP Johann Lamont.

Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says the Scottish government is tackling lung cancer as part of its efforts to reduce all cancer types and he points to a reduction in mortality rates.

He also highlights efforts to prevent young people from taking up smoking and to encourage more people to quit.

We hope Scotland will be tobacco-free by 2034, he explains.

Fewer adults are smoking and we are making progress on reducing it in deprived areas too, adds Mr Fitzpatrick.

The respiratory care action plan is currently being developed which will deal with a variety of conditions, he states, including pulmonary rehab services.

Image source, Getty Images

E-cigarettes are almost twice as effective as nicotine replacements for helping smokers quit, a study suggests.

A trial found 18% of smokers who used them to quit remained smoke-free after a year, compared with 9.9% of those using nicotine-replacement treatments.

The study of 886 smokers is the first to test how effective modern e-cigarettes are for quitting.

Researchers hope their findings will lead to vaping devices being routinely offered by stop-smoking services.

Read more.

Image source, Getty Images

Treatment for people with chronic chest disease has been described as a "postcode lottery" by campaigners.

More than 129,000 people live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Scotland, according to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

But it claims waiting times for rehabilitation vary from three to four weeks in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to up to 29 weeks in Ayrshire and Arran.

The Scottish government said it knew the importance of the treatment.

Read more.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs begins by praising the British Lung Foundation, external, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland , externaland Cancer Research UK, external for their work and the briefings they've provided.

Lung disease is a massive challenge for the NHS and a huge burden for individuals with it, as well as their loved ones, Mr Briggs explains.

He says mortality in women with COPD is on the rise and he highlights the impact of lung cancer in this country.

The Tory MSP cites the importance of early diagnosis and says anyone with breathlessness should consult their GP.

He calls for more political and financial support for the National Disease Registry.

Mr Briggs concludes: "I wish all involved in Love Your Lungs Week every success."

Image source, OWLSTONE MEDICAL LTD

The British Lung Foundation has created an online breath test as part of Love Your Lungs Week.

"Feeling short of breath from time to time is healthy and normal – but sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious."

Take the test here., external

Tory MSP Miles Briggs is leading a debate to highlight Love Your Lungs Week.

It takes place all of next week to highlight the prevalence of lung disease.

Here is the motion...

Image source, Scottish Parliament