Chamber and committees

Okay. Thank you. I will now bring in Maggie Chapman.

Jordan Jack, we have talked about the current focus of the just transition fund. Do you think that the fund’s focus is correct?

This is connected to Brian Whittle’s question. The just transition fund is a 10-year fund, and we are at the end of its second year. You have both—Jordan Jack, in particular—described an inclusive and integrated network transport system that would support modal shift and that would be available to everybody and be accessible. You would think that that would be one of the underpinning reasons for just transition. Do you feel that those conversations are taking place enough in the north-east and Moray? Mike Duncan, you said that it still feels as though it is about Aberdeen and about oil and gas. Do you think that the broader discussion is taking place? Who should lead on that and drive it forward?

You can ask one more question.

I welcome our second panel of witnesses. We are joined by Fergus Mutch, policy adviser at the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, who is attending virtually; Mark Munro, chief investment officer at the Scottish National Investment Bank; and Ronan O’Hara, chief executive of Crown Estate Scotland. Welcome to the meeting. If members and witnesses can keep their questions and answers as concise as possible, that would be helpful.

I will come to Fergus Mutch first. I do not know whether you heard the session with the first panel, but we are interested in a definition of a just transition, whether there is a shared understanding of what it means, whether everybody is working towards the same goal in the north-east and Moray and how we will know whether we have achieved it. What is your perspective and that of your members on that?

Ronan O’Hara, I will come to you with the same question. What is your understanding of a just transition? Is it shared, and how will we know whether we have achieved it?

Mike Duncan said that there is a feeling among his members that it is something that is happening in Aberdeen and it is about the oil and gas sector. Is that a challenge for you in trying to link the campaign to the broader activity that needs to happen to deliver a just transition?

I will now go to Jordan Jack, who is here representing the Campaign for North East Rail. You could argue that that campaign is focused on delivering a just transition. Do you think that there is a shared understanding of what a just transition means for the area? How will we know whether we have achieved it?

Thank you. I have a final question. Mark, when can we expect the Scottish National Investment Bank to finalise the next tranche of allocations from the just transition fund. Is the timescale available?

Do any other members wish to ask a question?