Chamber and committees

That is a discussion for a different day—I am concentrating on COP27.

At home, our ambitious net zero targets mean that we all face hard choices in relation to how we travel, heat our homes and source our food. It is right that our focus is now on renewable energy and emerging green technologies. Wind power is already the cheapest form of power in our energy mix. Our expertise in oil and gas is an opportunity to deliver our just transition, not just because that is an environmental imperative but because it offers a significant economic opportunity.

In my constituency, the just transition is everywhere—it is a pivotal part of our local economy, landscape and future prosperity. Frustratingly for the north-east, however, the UK Government’s questionable decision making and woeful political instability is hugely detrimental to the north-east. Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce recently reported that half of the companies surveyed for its latest energy transition report said that

“the current political and regulatory environment is a barrier to diversification”.

The uncertainty over the Acorn carbon capture, usage and storage project and the lack of commitment shown to such a vital project by the UK Government is just one example of those barriers.

The member raises a hugely important point. I have read a little bit about CCUS because of its relevance to my constituency, so I know that the only body that is dragging its feet on the issue is the UK Government, which is essentially dimming the lights on our local energy industry.

Given the £400 billion or so of tax revenue that has flowed from Scotland to the UK Treasury over many decades, I urge the Scottish Government to press the UK Government to honour its commitment to Scotland’s just transition and to tackling global climate change.

I am immensely proud of Scotland’s ambition, leadership and commitment to COP27, the global south and tackling global climate change. I look forward to monitoring progress and to playing my part, in my constituency and beyond, to ensure that Scotland becomes greener, cleaner and net zero.

I recently attended a girls in energy conference, hosted by an energy operator and its college partners. The programme supports girls to take a one-year course during secondary 4 and provides a platform for them to pursue a career in energy. Given that that sector is still considered to be male dominated, will the cabinet secretary say what action the Scottish Government is taking to maximise opportunities for girls and women to pursue educational pathways and careers in STEM?

What steps in addition to the action that has already been outlined by the cabinet secretary are being taken to improve prisoner welfare and wellbeing and tackle the tragic issue of prison suicides?

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking with relevant stakeholders to support animal welfare over winter. (S6O-01615)

The cost of living crisis is indeed having an impact, and many families are facing the heartbreak of rehoming their pets. The Dogs Trust found that almost half the Scottish dog owners who were polled would now find it difficult to give their dog all that it needs, while 62 per cent said that the cost of living crisis was likely to have an impact on whether they would consider rehoming or purchasing a dog in the next 12 months.

What action is the Scottish Government taking to engage with animal charities to ensure that, especially over Christmas, Scotland’s pet owners get the best advice and support possible, to keep them united with their faithful companions?

I might come back to you. I still have a number of members to bring in, so I would appreciate as succinct questions and answers as possible.

I will come back to you. A lot of members have questions.

I bring in Katy Clark, after whom we will move on to questions about statistics, for which I will bring in Natalie Don.

Good morning, and welcome to the third joint meeting in 2022 of the Criminal Justice Committee, the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee and the Social Justice and Social Security Committee to consider the progress that is being made in implementing the recommendations of the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce.

We have received no apologies. I welcome Alex Cole-Hamilton to the meeting. Foysol Choudhury should be joining us online shortly.

Our first agenda item is a decision on taking in private item 3, which is consideration of our forward work programme. Do we agree to take item 3 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

I will bring in Gillian Mackay, who has some questions about safe consumption rooms, then I will bring Paul O’Kane back in.