Chamber and committees

I will bring in Brian Whittle, who has questions on the planning system.

Thank you. Alasdair Ross, I come back to my initial question. Is there a shared understanding of what just transition means?

I will let Alasdair Ross in briefly and then come to Colin Smyth.

Before I come to Colin Smyth, I have another question. We have discussed how we measure a just transition. Would having a set of agreed measurable targets or indicators be helpful? We have set ambitions and targets, but how do we know whether we are delivering them? I am not asking you to comment on what the set might be, but would something like that be helpful? I put that to Jim Grant.

Our next item of business is the first evidence session in our inquiry into a just transition for the north-east and Moray.

Industry is the second highest carbon-emitting sector in Scotland after transport, and there is currently a target of 2045 for Scotland to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. The committee is interested in looking at how we can support, incentivise and de-risk that transition to benefit industry and the community.

I thank those who responded to our call for views as well as everyone who took part in our engagement workshop this morning. All the views expressed will be considered as part of our inquiry. I also thank the staff at Aberdeen south harbour for hosting a visit from us this morning.

We will now move to our evidence session. I welcome Stuart Bews, who is programme manager at Aberdeen City Council; Jim Grant, who is head of economic growth and development at Moray Council; Alasdair Ross, who is policy and consultations officer at Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations and Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action; and Alison Stuart, who is hub manager for the North East Scotland Climate Action Network. Paul Macari from Aberdeenshire Council has, for understandable reasons, given his apologies.

I invite Maggie Chapman to declare an interest.

John Mason, do you wish to ask any questions?

I go to Stuart Bews from Aberdeen City Council. The challenges in Aberdeen City are quite different—or they might be the same. How does Aberdeen City Council define a just transition and what it is working towards?

I will come back to you on planning. I am going to let Murdo Fraser in, as he has questions on the fund, and then I will come back to you.

I will bring in Maggie Chapman with questions on planning, to be followed by Brian Whittle.

Thank you. That brings us to the end of this afternoon’s session. I thank all the witnesses for the time that they have given us this afternoon. We now move into private session.