Chamber and committees

I suppose that having biannual reports on how we are getting on with the targets, as was suggested earlier—rather than just having a five-yearly report—would be another way to ensure that we were achieving them.

But that is not an assessment against the carbon budget, is it?

I am interested in this issue, because we have ended up where we are because we set targets that were unachievable. Carbon budgets will set targets that have to be achievable in order to get people to buy into them. I am trying to understand the level of scrutiny that the Parliament should be exercising to make sure that the three carbon budgets—that is, 15 years’ worth of carbon budgets—are achievable, so that we do not repeat this process again in 15 years.

Mark, I have kept you waiting for rather a long time. Sorry about that.

The second agenda item is the choice of a new deputy convener. The Parliament has agreed that only members of the Scottish National Party group may be deputy convener of this committee. Is there a nomination? Jackie Dunbar, it looks like you are scowling at me, but you are waving your hand.

Thank you for reminding us about that work, Monica. While bearing in mind what you have just said, I will ask the question again: does the committee agree to appoint Michael Matheson as the committee’s deputy convener?

Members indicated agreement.

Michael, during the next break, you will move up the table to sit next to me.

The next item of business is a decision on taking agenda items 4 and 6 in private. Item 4 is consideration of the committee’s approach to the scrutiny of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill, and item 6 is consideration of the evidence that the committee will hear today. Does the committee agree to take those items in private?

Members indicated agreement.

I will now move the meeting into private to deal with item 4. I expect us to be back in public session by just after 9 o’clock.

Okay. Neil Langhorn, you were nodding along to that.