Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01690 on
‎ 16 August 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

We have not made an assessment of this kind. However, our work to refresh Scotland’s Energy Strategy, due to begin later this year, will include consideration of such aspects across the energy sector as a whole.

This is a reserved policy area. Responsibility for security of supply sits with National Grid ESO (the GB electricity system operator), which works closely with generators and network operators across Scotland to ensure that there is always enough electricity to meet demand.

This includes preparing for the closure of individual generators several years in advance, to ensure that closures do not impact electricity supplies. National Grid ESO has worked closely with EDF, owners of Hunterston and Torness, and with Scotland’s electricity network owners, to ensure that the network is able to respond to and support the closure of these nuclear power stations in the coming years.

National Grid ESO is currently overseeing a “Stability Pathfinder”, the second phase of which is looking at network and commercial options to replace the various network stability requirements currently provided by existing generation. This is designed to ensure that the networks are ready for the greater share that Scotland’s renewable resources will constitute in the future.

The Scottish Government continues to recognise the importance of engaging the performing arts sector, including live-music performers, in the development of guidance, to allow the safe re-opening of venues during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scottish Government has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from the performing arts sector, including performers, venues - including pubs and other hospitality settings -, industry bodies and trade unions such as the Musicians’ Union, Federation of Scottish Theatre, and Gilded Balloon, on both an official and ministerial level, to ensure a collaborative approach to provide guidance on this subject. This ongoing engagement has contributed to the development of various pieces of guidance covering live music in various settings to ensure it is accurate, comprehensive and helpful to the sector.

In addition to guidance for the performing arts sector, guidance regarding live entertainment in hospitality settings, such as in pubs, has also been developed in conjunction with and reviewed by performers, trade unions and the hospitality industry to ensure it remains current, clear and practical. This includes regular engagement with the hospitality sector, the Music Venue Trust on the development of guidance relevant to grassroots music venues, as well as with a number of specific venues across the country.

This engagement has ensured that guidance remains relevant as Scotland’s strategic framework has been updated, and has established a shared confidence around the safety of returning to workplaces, protecting public health and supporting Scotland’s economic recovery.

The Scottish Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory shows that forests and woodlands in Scotland currently sequester over 6 MtCO2 per year, net of any emissions from forest management activities. All new woodland creation schemes take into account the requirement to ensure that the cultivation methods used balance the minimisation of soil carbon release with the need to quickly establish the young trees. Levels of woodland creation have been at historically high levels in recent years, and the country’s forests are predicted to remain a carbon sink in the coming decades.

The data currently held on heat networks comes from data collected by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) under the Heat Metering and Billing Regulations. Heat network operators are required to notify every 4 years. The latest data held is for 2018. Figures for 2019 and 2020 are not yet available.

The latest statistics from OPSS indicate that at the end of 2018:

• Almost 30,000 homes were connected to district or communal heating networks in Scotland
• An estimated 1.18 TWh of heat and cooling demand was supplied via heat networks.

The Scottish Government and relevant agencies have, to date, spent £885,000 on transport planning, venue, communications and marketing in preparations for COP26. Scottish Ministers have made clear their expectation that all additional operational costs, such as transport planning, will be borne by the UK Government.

Scottish Forestry issued new guidance Cultivation for Upland Productive Woodland Creation Sites – an Applicant’s Guide on 27 th July. This guidance ensures that forestry practice is based on the latest research evidence from Forest Research on the impact of forestry ground preparation on soils. The research on which it is based is appended to the guidance.

The Scottish Government released new forestry cultivation guidance on 27 July.

The guidance can be found at: https://forestry.gov.scot/publications/1032-cultivation-for-upland-productive-woodland-creation-sites-applicant-s-guidance/viewdocument/1032 .

Yes, the Scottish Ferry Services Plan (2013-2022) which will be replaced by the Islands Connectivity Plan at the end of 2022.

Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022) (transport.gov.scot)