Greenhouse gas emissions from Scotland's power stations have fallen by more than a third in five years.
Environment minister Paul Wheelhouse says emissions dropped from the equivalent of 18.484 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2006 to the equivalent of 12.147 million tones in 2011.
The fall was revealed in an answer to parliamentary question from SNP MSP Rob Gibson, the convener of Holyrood's Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee.
Mr Gibson said the figures provided "welcome confirmation of the important role our renewable energy sector is playing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a greener Scotland".
A report last month showed there were 11,695 people in Scotland working full-time in the renewables industry, with the sector providing 40.3 per cent of gross electricity consumption in 2012.
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Mr Gibson added: "As well as its crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Scotland's renewables industry also employs more than 11,000 people and is producing record levels of electricity output - contributing to economic growth while keeping the lights on across the UK."
Environmental campaigners at WWF Scotland also welcomed the reduction in emissions.
Director Lang Banks said: "These figures clearly show that renewable energy is making a massive contribution to reducing Scotland's climate change emissions. This contribution will only continue to grow as we move ever closer to securing all of our electricity from pollution-free sources.
"To put it simply - renewables work, cut emissions, and are creating jobs."
