Seòmar agus comataidhean

I say good morning to each of the witnesses and thank them for their contributions to Scotland’s Climate Assembly. Its work is thought provoking.

It is timely that the witnesses are attending the meeting, given the fact that the United Nations youth climate conference is taking place today in Italy. Has Scotland’s Climate Assembly or the SYP had any interaction with that conference? I know that two young people from the United Kingdom are attending it. Has there been any interaction with them on ideas or concrete proposals for the future? If you have not interacted with them, do you hope to do so on the back of the conference and share some good ideas? I put that question to Liam Fowley and Katie Reid.

Good morning—I was just checking the time, but it is still morning. I will zone in on net zero and ask Iain Gulland a few questions about waste. I had a brief look at what your submission says about the European regional development funding that Zero Waste Scotland gets. For how long will that funding continue? Has it had any impact? Will you get support from the Government when that funding stops?

Zero Waste Scotland’s submission also mentions circular procurement, which—if I put my accountant’s head on—is about visibility in procurement, where our waste goes and who deals with it as it moves from the household to the local authority. There should be an audit trail for our waste as it moves to its final destination. Is that visible? Should local authorities have a bigger role in where their waste goes? Local binmen pick up waste that might then go to a Viridor site, for example. How is that made visible? What role do you play and what advice do you give in relation to recycling and reuse of products such as steel?

It is interesting to hear you talk about the manufacture and recycling of our steel. I am keen to know more about that and am happy—I am sure that we all are—to have a conversation outside the committee on that issue. It would be good to know whether there is a case study on that issue and whether the committee can play a role in promoting it.

Good morning, panel. I want to focus on the priorities for tackling violence against women and girls. The submissions touched on that subject both within the criminal justice system and beyond it, more generally. I think that Dr Scott mentioned that there is a civil element as well, which needs to be tied up to protect people and prevent such violence. I understand that this is the Criminal Justice Committee, but how is that issue being addressed?

I think that Dr Scott mentioned that in her submission. I am keen to know more about it.

I would like to get more information from the cabinet secretary and whoever else is involved on the role of Her Majesty’s chief inspector of prisons with regard to some of the human rights issues and the length of the extension of the powers as set out in the instrument.

That is really helpful. Thank you. I have no further questions.

No, I was going to come in later, convener, if that is okay.

What does each of the enterprise agencies see as the role of the 19 Business Gateway offices in supporting SMEs and sole traders? How joined up is each agency’s work with Business Gateway to support a just transition and net zero?

It is good to hear that the local government pension funds are on board with you and are taking net zero seriously. You alluded to your discussions with Lothian and Strathclyde, but have any other funds come forward to discuss how to crowd in investment? Is that on your radar?