The Scottish Government is making progress on reducing the environmental impact of its activities, according to a report published recently.

The Scottish Government Environmental Performance Annual Report 2006-07 highlights progress in the following areas:

- Reductions in CO2 emissions of business-related travel
- Reduced water consumption 
- Progress on biodiversity projects

As part of its drive to improve its environmental performance, the Scottish Government also published its Travel Plan.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said:

"This Government is committed to delivering a Greener Scotland. Government and the wider public sector must take a lead and act as exemplars in the field of environmental performance.

"This report highlights the progress being made by Government and its staff in reducing the impact of their work on the environment. It identifies real positives - such as a 12 per cent reduction in emissions from business travel.

By the same token, it also underlines where the real challenges lie and we must step up our efforts to tackle these.

"The Travel Plan, with its ambitious targets, will play an integral part in achieving more sustainable government. We have a solid base on which to build and all Government staff can make a positive contribution. In fact, individuals within the organisation are the key to making further progress - by recognising the impact of their day-to-day activities in the workplace and taking responsibility for their own actions.

"While the report signals we are heading in the right direction, there is no room for complacency.  We need to go further, faster, to achieve greater environmental performance, not just within Government but across the wider public sector. As a responsible Government, I am determined that we will lead by example and deliver a Greener Scotland."

The report sets out the progress made by the organisation (during the period April 1, 2006 - March 31, 2007) towards delivering targets for a sustainably managed Scottish Government estate.

The Scottish Government Travel Plan sets key targets for the Scottish Government, based on the Scottish Executive 2006 Travel Survey.