Chamber and committees

Sorry, I realise that I am asking you to solve our legacy problems. Do you have any perspective? I want to ask you about the right to water as well, and about how states—particularly those from the global south—will mobilise around these issues at COP26.

That is useful. It would be good to see a bit more detail come through on that project when it is ready.

What do you see as an indicator of success for the policy? What would you expect to see in the first year if the policy is a success, as I am sure that it will be? On a related point, will the scheme increase the number of families who use bus travel? Although the focus is on under-21s, will the scheme drive more people on to the bus, including fare-paying passengers?

I just want to make the brief point that the policy will be brilliant and transformational for young people. The price of bus travel excludes so many young people, particularly in rural areas. On the wider issue of the quality of services, we have had constructive conversations with a number of bus companies that look forward to the scheme and are considering how to improve services on the back of it.

I was also pleased to hear from the minister about the commitment to a fair fares review. We will need to consider wider public transport at some point. I know that there is interest in ferries—free ferry tickets and so on. It will be important to consider the issues in the round, including any moves to extend the age limit further.

The scheme is welcome, and I hope that the launch at the end of January will be successful and that the message and the publicity can get out there to young people and families that free bus travel has now arrived.

Perhaps I can bring in Katie Reid here. Who should lead on this work? It has come from an amendment to climate change legislation and has been commissioned by the Government, but does this sort of thing have to start that way? Could it be driven by schools or councils, or should it be driven by, say, public service operators themselves? Where is the starting point?

I wonder whether Jocelyn Richard has any reflections on Katie Reid’s comments about the involvement of young people and the exchange—indeed, cross-fertilisation—of ideas between generations.

That is regulation, but it is not just transition, is it? Just transition is not only about the boardroom; it is about workers and communities and planning that transition. Are you working in that space of just transition, or are you still applying the regulatory limits and enforcing them where appropriate?

I will ask all three witnesses about their organisations’ changing remits. Nick Halfhide talked about the need to scale up to tackle the nature emergency, and I think that he said that NatureScot is taking over from Marine Scotland the responsibility for marine protected area designation.

I am interested in understanding how the witnesses expect their bodies to develop. What changes do you hope to make to your remits? How will you develop more partnership working?

[Inaudible.]—does that look like? Is it increased regional land use partnerships? What actions will be needed on the ground to drive that?

Yes, particularly in terms of regional land use partnerships.

I ask Terry A’Hearn about changing remits, as well. The committee heard evidence from the just transition commission several weeks ago and it is clear that high energy users will need to produce just transition plans. What will SEPA’s remit be in relation to that? Are you already working on that in terms of your sustainable growth agreements?