Seòmar agus comataidhean

The advice received from our independent, statutory advisors,
the UK Committee on Climate Change, in March 2017, provided
two options: 1 - Keep the target for a reduction in greenhouse
gas emissions of at least 80% by 2050 with subsequent reviews
to increase ambition; 2 - Set a ‘stretch’ target for a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions of 90% by 2050, potentially
accompanied by a net-zero CO2 target for 2050. The advice
stated that “A net-zero target for all greenhouse gases should
not be set now, but the possibility to set one in the future should
be allowed in the new Bill”. Target levels of 56% emissions
reduction for 2020, 66% for 2030, and either 73% or 78% for
2040, depending on whether Ministers opted to maintain the
80% target for 2050 or raise it to 90%, were advised.

The Scottish Government considered the advice carefully,
including by discussing it with stakeholders, and conducting
internal analysis using the Scottish TIMES model, which
reached conclusions consistent with the CCC’s advice. We
then consulted on the proposal to raise the target levels to
be consistent with the Paris Agreement.

In light of responses to the consultation, the Scottish
Government considered how it would be possible to achieve
a 100% reduction of all greenhouse gas emissions prior to
there being a credible pathway to doing so. This analysis,
set out in “When to set a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions
target year: Information and Analysis to support discussion
of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets)
(Scotland) Bill”, concluded that Scotland would need to
compromise its existing framework in one or all of the following
ways:

• by paying other countries to reduce emissions on our
  behalf through the purchase of international carbon
  credits, instead of focussing purely on domestic effort
• by removing some sectors from the target
• by making legally binding commitments that are
  dependent on as yet undeveloped technological
  advancement and cannot be properly scrutinised
• by taking steps that would have a substantial detrimental
  impact on people’s wellbeing and the economic growth of
  Scotland.

Comparisons between Scotland’s target framework and that of
other jurisdictions was conducted internally, in direct liaison with
counterparts in other leading countries, and was supported by
work commissioned through ClimateXChange, reports of which
can be seen at https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/media/1325/
international_climate_change_target_frameworks.pdf

https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/media/2964/greenhouse_
gas_accounting_for_national_climate_change_targets.pdf

https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/media/3098/review-of-
comparison-of-international-climate-change-target-frameworks.pdf

The Scottish Government is unaware of any other country that
has such an ambitious, comprehensive and stringent set of
statutory targets that must be met through domestic effort
alone, as are set out in the Climate Change (Emissions
Reduction Targets) Bill and therefore considers that the targets
set out in the Bill are world leading. The answer to S5W-19585
on 7 November provides further detail.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available
on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can
be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness
/28877.aspx .

Climate change is a global challenge requiring co-ordinated action across all countries and jurisdictions. As a devolved nation, working in partnership with other national and sub-national Governments is of particular importance to Scotland in achieving high ambition.

The UK Government’s emission reduction targets are currently 34% for 2020 and 80% for 2050, excluding a fair share of international aviation and shipping. Without the full set of levers to implement all the policies necessary, Scotland could do more if the UK were to follow our lead and increase its long term targets. For example, the gas grid is controlled by the UK Government and it is not possible for the Scottish Government to unilaterally decarbonise the Scottish section of the grid. Similarly, both the UK Government and Scottish Ministers have roles to play in the regulatory frameworks which allow for the geological storage of carbon dioxide.

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform has written to the Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth encouraging the UK Government to work with us towards a net zero emissions reduction target. In response to the recent IPCC report, the Scottish Government joined the UK and Welsh Governments, in requesting advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) on the implications of the report for emissions reduction targets levels. It is important that the CCC consider UK and Scotland’s emission reduction targets as part of the same assessment, in order that the interactions between what is possible at a UK level and what is possible at a Scotland level can be fully considered.

The more countries that are working to reduce emissions, encouraging innovation and identifying low-carbon solutions, the more learning and knowledge can be shared, to the benefit of greater decarbonisation globally.

The Scottish Government welcomes the recent report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and agrees with its assessment that all countries, as well as businesses and individuals, need to act now if the Paris Agreement goals are to be met. The Scottish Government introduced the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Bill to Parliament on 23 May 2018 in order to raise the ambition of Scotland’s emission reduction targets so that they are in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The target levels set out in the Bill follow the advice of our independent, statutory advisors, the UK Committee on Climate Change.

The IPCC report says that the world needs to be carbon-neutral, defined as net-zero emissions of CO2, by 2050, which is exactly where Scotland will be by 2050 under the targets set out in the Climate Change Bill. In response to the report, the Scottish Government, alongside the UK and Welsh Governments, has requested advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) on the implications of the report for our emissions reduction target levels. If the CCC advises that Scotland’s emission reduction targets can be even more ambitious than they previously advised, then we will act on that advice.

The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance to Orkney’s economic wellbeing of sustaining a high quality tourism product.

Following a report commissioned last year by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Orkney Islands Council to examine the general impacts of high-volume tourism in Orkney, a number of key partners including HIE, the Council, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland and the local tourism industry (Orkney Tourism Group) are working together under the auspices of a new partnership body, Destination Orkney, which will develop a more dynamic and strategic approach to tourism in Orkney.

Orkney was one of the initial beneficiaries of our new £6m Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, from which they received £80,000 in the spring of 2018 for improved parking at the Stones of Stenness.

The Scottish Government has already published the responses to its consultation on enhanced oversight of biometric data for justice and community safety purposes, which can be viewed at https://consult.gov.scot/safer-communities/use-of-biometric-data/ . The Scottish Government will publish an Analysis Report of the responses and its Consultation Report in the coming weeks.

The Scottish Government announced its intention to introduce a Biometric Data Bill in its Programme for Government 2018. The key findings from the consultative response will inform the content of that Bill.

The wellbeing and safety of children and young people in Scotland is a key priority for the Scottish Government.

Section 1 of the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 provides for an offence of 'meeting a child following certain preliminary contact'. This is commonly referred to as a 'grooming' offence.

This offence is intended to catch those who develop relationships with young people under 16 in order to gain their trust and persuade them into vulnerable situations where they can then be sexually assaulted. The preliminary contact can take any form, and as such it would include contact with a child who is 'live-streaming'.

The Scottish Government has no plans to review existing legislation concerning 'grooming' at this time. However, the Scottish Government monitors the effectiveness of legislation on an on-going basis in conjunction with justice system partners and if concerns were expressed this would be reconsidered.

The power to legislate to regulate the internet is currently reserved to the UK Parliament.

A consultation paper is currently being prepared that will seek views on what legislative measures might be required to underpin the significant work that is already being done to deliver our Good Food Nation ambition. This will be published in the autumn.

The management of police units and related information sharing agreements are an operational matter for the Police Service of Scotland.

The role of the Scottish Ministers is provided in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. Prior to this, Scottish Ministers’ role was provided in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 2) Order 2000.

All matters pertaining to the interception of communications are independently overseen by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO). From September 2017, the Police Service of Scotland has been subject to oversight and inspection by the IPCO; prior to this, the role was carried out by the Interception of Communications Commissioner's Office.

As previously announced by my predecessor, Humza Yousaf in this former role as Minister for Transport and The Islands, the proposed Road Equivalent Tariff scheme for the Northern Isles is for passengers and cars only.