Minutes: 07 March 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4, 5 and 6 in private.

2. Outcomes of the 15th UN Conference on Biodiversity (COP15):

The Committee took evidence from—

Dr Daniela Diz, Associate Professor, International Ocean Governance, The Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University;

Professor Colin Galbraith, Chair, Joint Nature Conservation Committee;

Dr Deborah Long, Chief Officer, Scottish Environment LINK;

Dr Ruth Mitchell, Head of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems Group, The James Hutton Institute.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a Partner in Delfur Farms Farming Partnership, a business in receipt of agricultural subsidies and which manages land and woodland.

3. Petition PE1866:

The Committee considered a petition, by Daryl Cooper, calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce legislation so that wheelchair users are able to face frontwards when travelling on a bus.

The Committee agreed to close the petition on the basis that the main issue raised by the petitioner relates to a reserved matter, but agreed to write to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, which is undertaking an inquiry on accessible transport, to highlight the concerns raised in the petition.

4. Outcomes of the 15th UN Conference on Biodiversity (COP15) (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

5. Energy Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report.

Various changes were agreed to, and the Committee agreed to consider a revised draft at its next meeting.

6. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee agreed to invite the Scottish Government and Circularity Scotland to give evidence on the Deposit Return Scheme.

The Committee considered its approach to its inquiry into 'Scotland’s electricity infrastructure: inhibitor or enabler of our energy ambitions?', and agreed to hold an online engagement event at a later date with stakeholders.

In relation to the Committee's inquiry into 'Scotland’s electricity infrastructure: inhibitor or enabler of our energy ambitions?', Liam Kerr declared an interest as a shareholder in Aberdeen Community Energy.