Minutes: 17 September 2024

1. Declaration of interests:

Michael Matheson declared that he has an Honorary Fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation.

2. Choice of Deputy Convener:

The Committee chose Michael Matheson as its new Deputy Convener.

3. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 6 in private.

4. Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee discussed the timetabling of the Bill and agreed to pass on the views of Committee members to the Parliamentary Bureau.

5. Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Dr Alina Averchenkova, Distinguished Policy Fellow and Catherine Higham, Policy Fellow, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment;

Dr Thomas Muinzer, Reader in Energy Transition Law, University of Aberdeen, School of Law;

Mike Robinson, Chair, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland;

Neil Langhorn, Head of Strategy and Analysis, Environmental Standards Scotland;

and then from—

Gillian Martin, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Philip Raines, Deputy Director, Domestic Climate Change and Norman Munro, Solicitor, Scottish Government.

Edward Mountain declared he is a partner in a family farming partnership in receipt of subsidies.

6. Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting and agreed further witnesses for Stage 1 of the Bill.