Scotland has met its annual climate change target for the first time, the latest greenhouse gas emission figures show.
The 2020 interim target to reduce emissions by 42% has also been exceeded.
A reduction of 45.8% had been achieved by 2014, according to the new figures.
Emissions have fallen by 12.5% from 2013 to 2014 to 41.9 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent, with the target for 2014 having been set at 46.958 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent.
Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Scotland is making outstanding progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“These statistics show that we not only met the annual 2014 emissions reduction target but also exceeded the level of our world-leading 2020 target for a 42% reduction six years ahead of schedule.
“The reduction in residential emissions in 2014 may have been due to people turning down their heating.
“This underlines that small individual actions, if repeated on a large scale, can have a big impact in tackling climate change.
“This is an especially important time for climate change in light of the international agreement reached in Paris last December and it is great news that Scotland continues to show ambition and demonstrate the progress that can be made.
“We will continue to rise to the challenge and the First Minister has already confirmed that the Scottish Government plans to establish a new and more testing 2020 target.
“We are not complacent and we will continue to take action and encourage others to do their bit to tackle climate change.”
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland welcomed the figures but added it was hard to seethe “bold fingerprint” of government policy driving the progress.
Jim Densham, of the group, said: “This shows it’s possible to cut emissions while building a progressive and productive society.
“However, apart from the electricity and waste sectors, it’s hard to see a bold fingerprint of Scottish Government policy driving the transition to a zero-carbon economy.
“This target has been met because of the loss of heavy industry, warmer winter weather, our changing share of European emissions credits and some government policies.
“Individual action is important but Scottish Government needs to lead with the big policies for major emission reductions.”
