Chamber and committees

The challenging 12% target level is based upon our estimates of the impact of our comprehensive package of policies and proposals between now and 2020. The Report on Policies and Proposals, which was published on 17 November 2010, sets out those actions in fuller detail.

A programme of transport emission reduction measures is being considered by ministers for inclusion in the statutory Report on Proposals and Policies for meeting Scotland''s ambitious climate change targets. This report is being prepared in the context of the development of the draft Scottish budget. It is intended that these documents be published in November 2010.

In the meantime, Conserve and Save, the Scottish Government''s Energy Efficiency Action Plan, published in October 2010 sets out a number of key actions required to reduce transport energy consumption by (a) reducing the need to travel (b) widening travel choices to include more sustainable transport options and (c) efficiencies in driving and in the transport network.

An action plan to deliver the widespread uptake of low carbon vehicles envisaged in the Climate Change Delivery Plan will be published later this year. For 2010-11, Transport Scotland has committed £4.3 million to support Community Planning Partnership procurement of low carbon vehicles, and for the provision of supportive infrastructure. Bus operators are also benefiting from the Scottish Green Bus Fund, which is providing £4.4 million in the current financial year to assist the purchase of low carbon buses. In addition, Transport Scotland and a range of public and private sector partners have submitted a joint bid under the UK Government funded Plugged-in Places electric vehicle infrastructure scheme. If successful, this proposal will see a critical mass of infrastructure placed throughout central and southern Scotland by 2013.

The Cycling Action Plan for Scotland published earlier this year sets the framework for a tenfold increase by 2020 in the number of journeys that are made by bicycle. Total funding in support of cycling in Scotland in 2010-11 is £17.3 million. The £15 million Smarter Choices Smarter Places joint programme with COSLA supports sustainable travel demonstration projects in seven communities across Scotland i.e. Kirkwall, Dundee, Larbert and Stenhousemuir, Kirkintilloch and Lenzie, Glasgow East End, Barrhead and Dumfries.

We are also working to reduce emissions from the movement of goods. The latest report of the Freight Best Practice Scotland programme suggests savings of 33,173 tonnes of CO2 emissions and nearly £14 million for operators in 2009-10.

The following is a corrected answer (published on 22 November 2010); see below.

Stewart StevensonThe Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 created a statutory framework for greenhouse gas emissions reductions in Scotland by setting an interim 42% reduction target for 2020 and an 80% reduction target for 2050.

The draft report on Proposals and Policies published on 17 November 2010 (laying number SG/2010/251) sets out our proposals and policies for meeting the targets to 2022, and thus making the transition to a low carbon economy.  A copy has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 52063). A final report will be published following a 60-day period for parliamentary consideration, as required by the Climate Change Act.

The transport measures identified in the draft report fall into three broad categories:

reducing the need to travel;

widening travel choices to encourage lower carbon options; and

encouraging more energy efficient driving. 

Conserve and Save, our Energy Efficiency Action Plan, published on 6 October 2010 also identified a number of actions to reduce transport energy consumption.   A copy has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 51884).

Estimated Occupied Properties in the Private Rented Sector 2009, by Local Authority area

In 2007, the City of Edinburgh Council had two confirmed flood prevention schemes, the Braid Burn and the Water of Leith. The Braid Burn scheme had been awarded a grant at 80% of the estimated cost of £28,506,520.09 in quarterly instalments to the end of 2011-12. The relevant amounts are translated into the general capital grant as part of the capital support over the period 2008-2011.

The Water of Leith Scheme had been awarded a grant towards costs of £5.5m up to March 2008. So the general capital grant took account of the remaining estimated costs, £40.35m, spread over 6 years. In addition, in 2010-11 the level of capital support took into account the level of flood risk in the Council''s area.

It is however for the City of Edinburgh Council to allocate resources for flood risk management from the overall resources available to it.

A list of those who attended the meeting has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre under Bib. number 52029 along with a copy of the meeting notification issued on 3 November 2010, Bib number 52030.

In addition, the Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning replied to a letter from Helen Eadie MSP on Blindcraft on 3 November 2010.