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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 15 January 2025
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Displaying 2365 contributions

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Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

COP15 Outcomes

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

Yes—those are long-standing issues in relation to conservation.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

COP15 Outcomes

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

I move on to questions around supply chains and consumption. It is good to see that the framework recognises that as an issue. Every time I buy clothing or food that has been imported, or even drive an electric car, the impact of that wider supply chain on the planet and biodiversity is always at the forefront of my mind. Do we have enough clarity at the moment about the impact of supply chains and consumption in Scotland? Is there transparency in corporate or Government reporting in that area?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

COP15 Outcomes

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

Okay; feel free to come in on that.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

COP15 Outcomes

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

Thanks for that point.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

COP15 Outcomes

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

Thank you for that reminder, convener.

We have spoken quite a bit about the 30 by 30 target, which is, I suppose, the headline of the framework. That makes me think about the other 70 per cent, though. Deborah Long has spoken about agricultural subsidy reform.

In relation to marine space, is it enough for Governments to designate marine protected areas, put in place management measures and police them, or should we be looking beyond that to wider ecosystem management? For example, should we consider the impact of dredging and trawling on inshore areas? Is there a danger that the 30 by 30 target will, dare I say, focus all the attention on the parks, if you like, and that we will lose the ecological coherence that we need across the management of wider seas?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

COP15 Outcomes

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

Do any of the other witnesses want to add to that before we move on?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

COP15 Outcomes

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

I will pick up on marine, because I think that Deborah Long wanted to talk about that. First, however, I ask Dr Mitchell whether she has anything to add.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

COP15 Outcomes

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

Is that best done through a sector-by-sector approach? If we are looking at consumption targets, for example, are there very obvious sectors where the impact on climate and biodiversity is acute and where we need to focus? Do we perhaps have levers in some areas but not in others?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

COP15 Outcomes

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

My final question, which is broadly for Colin Galbraith, is about the role of the JNCC in providing UK-wide governance in relation to the international agreements that we are signed up to.

Separately, I also want to ask about the JNCC’s role in co-operation. The committee is considering a very live example of that with the Energy Bill and the establishment of offshore wind mitigation, in relation to which there are a lot of complexities around devolved and reserved boundaries. Without opening up a huge can of worms, would you briefly address those two points?

Meeting of the Parliament

Topical Question Time

Meeting date: 7 March 2023

Mark Ruskell

It is crucial that we continue to support small retailers to participate in the DRS. Not only will they be paid through the handling fee but there will be an opportunity for local shops to increase footfall. That is why the Federation of Independent Retailers is calling for there to be no delay to the scheme.

Can the minister outline what is being done to ensure that retailers are aware both of their obligations and of the opportunity that the scheme presents?