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Sticking with your point that this has to be a national mission, we touched on the roles of the private sector and corporations last week. How important is it for the public sector to show leadership?

To give an example from the weekend, it was reported in Scotland on Sunday that some of the venues that will host COP26 have some of the worst-performing buildings in terms of energy efficiency. The armadillo, for example, has a rating of F. There could be good reasons why it has not been possible to put in place the improvements that have been asked for, but if it is really hard for big venues such as the Hydro, the armadillo and the Glasgow Science Centre, what chance do low-income households or small businesses have? How can we mobilise public sector expenditure? What would true public sector leadership look like—both for decarbonising buildings and for circular procurement?

That is helpful—thank you.

With regard to climate change as a health and safety issue for workers, I have a final, brief question for Dave Moxham on the issue of adaptations. What does a just transition to a net zero economy mean in relation to adaptations around climate change and resilience? From the point of view of the STUC, can you touch on what that means in workplaces and say how we can ensure that workers have some influence on the changes that need to happen?

I hope that we will see more unionised workplaces. I have no further questions.

Good morning, colleagues. In your very wise opening remarks, Lord Deben, you referred to the recent IPCC report and emphasised the need for immediate action. You also said that your committee tries to give the best possible advice, which is reassuring, but what is the best possible advice that the Climate Change Committee can give to Governments and key decision makers on new oil and gas developments, including the proposed Cambo oilfield off Shetland? Given that we have no time to lose, how should new oil and gas developments be considered in light of the IPCC report?

It is not only Governments but individual citizens who are making decisions every day. I was struck by Professor Bell’s earlier comments about public engagement and the active choices that people need to make if we are going to change how we do things. It is clearly very important, therefore, for Governments to set a good example.

The committee is looking closely at the recommendations in the citizens assembly report. Is the Climate Change Committee considering them, too, and will it make a formal response?

I congratulate you, convener, and Fiona Hyslop, and I look forward to working with all members of the committee.

There is already lots of agreement. I thank colleagues on our predecessor committees. There is a lot to read in the reports. Like Jackie Dunbar, I will go back and read them a number of times.

Fiona Hyslop is right that our focus really needs to be on scrutiny and implementation. We have had a steer on the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, for example. There is a lot in that. We have already discussed the climate change plan in the chamber since we came back. We will have a big role to play there.

Liam Kerr touched on ferry procurement and future ferries policy. Obviously, there are recommendations on that in the legacy reports. The deputy convener made a point about the fact that the members of this committee do not represent all of Scotland. However, I think that, through our work, we will very much aspire to do that. I represent Central Scotland, where ferries are not a big issue, but they are a big issue across the country. With regard to how we engage, particularly with younger people, we have a real opportunity to set a good example and be innovative, and also to get out there and do interesting visits.

In September, we will know more about the programme for government. The circular economy has to be a massive priority, and I am interested in what the Government plans to do around incineration. I know that the minister and the cabinet secretary have given a commitment on that.

Transport infrastructure is a huge area, so we will need to break that down. Obviously, we are looking at the remit of the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, but his performance in his job will depend on the performance across all portfolios of Government, and we already know that there is some overlap with issues that are in, for example, Mairi Gougeon’s portfolio. Issues such as 20-minute neighbourhoods will present real opportunities. The cabinet secretary will have strategic responsibility for that policy across Government, but it will involve lots of other areas. I am interested to see how all that works in practice. We have a job to ensure that Government does not work in silos. We all appreciate the ambitious targets, but the key is delivery and how we get there.

Like Liam Kerr, I am interested in getting an update on the public energy company. I think that work is under way with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to develop a business plan. Again, the role of local government in that is important.

Others have touched on the issues of a just transition, which involves green jobs, support for businesses that want to innovate and the need to ensure that we have the right skills and that communities are not left behind.

I think that it is going to be a really exciting time. We have a lot of work to do and I look forward to working with everyone on the committee.

I have no relevant interests to declare.