The Committee launched an inquiry into the role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland.
The inquiry aimed to seek out the main barriers at a local level, to Scotland reaching its net zero targets. It considered what practical steps councils are taking to break them down, in partnership with business, the voluntary sector, and local communities. It also highlighted areas where change will be needed if councils are to play a full role in the helping us achieve the goal of a net zero Scotland.
The inquiry also considered:
A "just transition" means changing our economy and lives to achieve net zero should be done in a way that reduces rather than increases inequalities and creates new opportunities for people.
"Net zero" means putting no more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than we take away. Greenhouse gases are a cause of climate change. The Scottish Government and Parliament have committed to making Scotland net zero by 2045, with challenging interim targets on the way.
To help the Committee with its inquiry, the Committee ran a Call for Views on a range of issues, including:
Council planning, decision-making and capacity in relation to net zero
Partnering to achieve net zero goals
Role of the Scottish Government and its agencies
Local government work on net zero in particular areas
The call for views closed on 26 January 2022 at midnight.
View published submissions to the Call for Views
The Committee agreed to hold an inquiry into progress in meeting the Scottish Government’s net zero targets, with a focus on the role of local government.
The Committee agreed to hold an inquiry into the role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland.
The Committee's call for views opened.
The Committee discussed and agreed initial witnesses for its inquiry.
The Committee took evidence from a panel of local authority leaders.
The Committee took evidence from the Sustainable Scotland Network and a panel of community representatives.
The Committee took evidence from industry and finance experts.
The Committee's call for views closed.
The Committee took evidence from one panel of experts on planning, and then from a second panel on the theme of skills and vocational training.
The Committee took evidence from a panel of experts on the theme of applied skills.
The Committee took evidence from a panel of experts on local transport.
The Committee took evidence from a panel of experts on heat in buildings.
The Committee took evidence from a panel of experts on renewable energy.
The Committee took evidence from a representative of the City of Freiburg, Germany, to understand what Scotland could learn from an example of international best practice.
The Committee took evidence from a panel of experts on domestic construction.
The Committee took evidence from one panel of experts on co-financing, and then from a second panel on Scotland’s natural environment.
The Committee took evidence from one panel of experts on local authority governance, and then from a second panel of local authority leaders.
The Committee took evidence from the Scottish Government.
The Parliament held a debate on motion S6M-08209, in the name of Edward Mountain, on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, on the role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net zero Scotland.
The Committee held an evidence session with representatives of COSLA and Solace to discuss the report and the Scottish Government's response.