The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1816 contributions
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
Scottish Environment LINK, as it is formally known, is the umbrella body for the environmental NGOs in Scotland. It is a very experienced and well-resourced organisation, and it has staff who would be able to discharge the duties of the secretariat, working with my office. I am pleased to have worked with Scottish Environment LINK in the past, and I think that it has the confidence of all the members of the group.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 6 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
What key things would you wish to see in a delivery plan for freshwater? I will put the same question to Calum Duncan.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 6 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
Is there something more fundamental about the way that Government and agencies work within the permanent architecture of civil servants and agencies such as NatureScot? Is the strategy prepared enough to tackle a nature emergency? It is still a biodiversity strategy and does not encompass the entire Government.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 6 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
Indeed. Thinking back to what the witnesses on the first panel said, it is a concern that, although a biodiversity strategy was established previously, the delivery plans did not flow from it so that we could act. Has that been the issue up until now? Is there concern that, although a strategy may be set up that looks great, with some specific points within it, the meat of the delivery can then drift?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 6 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
This is my final question. Is there policy coherence within Government organisations such as Marine Scotland?
11:30Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 6 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
Does anyone have any brief comments to build on their previous points?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 6 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
We have already had some comment about alignment and policy coherence. What more should the biodiversity strategy do to direct that, or is that not a matter for the strategy but for another approach in Government? I will start with Professor Morgera.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 6 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
I will come to Bruce Wilson, but if it is okay, I will roll in my final question. We have spoken a lot about the strategy and the high-level objectives, and delivery plans will come on the back of those. I understand that the first one will come in December. Will you briefly give us your understanding of what the delivery plans should cover? What essentials should come out of that?
Bruce, do you want to go first and wrap up my previous question?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 6 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
Before I hand back to the convener, does Craig Macadam have any reflections on coherence in freshwater policy?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 6 September 2022
Mark Ruskell
Thanks.