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 2338 contributions
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
Going back to an issue that I have just mentioned, I think it inevitable that a just transition will be needed in some sectors such as inshore fisheries, scallop dredging—potentially—and some of the trawling sectors if those inshore activities are incompatible with biodiversity targets. That will have to result in a conversation about where we go next, how the industry transitions and whether there is a need for financial support packages or whatever.
I realise that that is perhaps more Ms Gougeon’s area, but there are similar issues around how we manage a just transition, whether we are talking about oil and gas or agriculture and fisheries. Where do you see that sitting in Government? Is it your part of Government that leads the thinking around the just transition process and governance, or is Richard Lochhead having those conversations?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
Yes, although they do not have management plans.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
Could there be a way of socialising that even further and supplying local communities?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
That is okay—it has been an interesting session. I will pick up on the cabinet secretary’s comment about behavioural change. One of the advantages of having a public energy company or companies is that you can drive public confidence to make changes to how we heat our homes or to take the interventions that are needed. I am thinking about what could emerge from the agency. Instead of having a national energy company supplying electricity, could we, for example, have more municipal public ownership of the heat networks or the other solutions that we need in communities? Could there be a different approach to heat rather than having a national energy company that competes with the big six?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
At COP, we will have the launch of the beyond oil and gas alliance, which is led by Denmark, Costa Rica, New Zealand, France and other states that are accelerating their just transition for the oil and gas sectors. I think that the Welsh Government has been in discussions on BOGA. Are you aware of it and will you seek to engage with it?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
To be fair, the question was specifically about this policy.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
Could that link into the target to decarbonise all public buildings as we move towards the hospitals and major national health service facilities that have huge heat demands?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
I have questions about the whole thing. Was the Scottish Government developing a set of due diligence measures on forest risk commodities last year, when the bill was being developed?
Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee
Meeting date: 9 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
So what will success look like? Is it about maintaining the 2.5 per cent viewing share?
Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee
Meeting date: 9 September 2021
Mark Ruskell
Thank you very much, convener. I look forward to the work ahead. I have nothing to declare.