Chamber
Plenary, 21 Jun 2007
21 Jun 2007 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Climate Change
I explained in my response to Mr Tavish Scott about the strategic target of 80 per cent being converted into annual targets. We will report annually and we will consider the trend over the five-year period. We obviously have to start somewhere, and it will be for the Administration to contribute to tackling carbon emissions from now on. We have an obligation to tackle the problems. It is not a statutory obligation—it is a moral obligation, so we have to get on and take the appropriate steps. As I said in my statement, we will take whatever steps we can to make progress.
On the timetable to produce legislation, we are taking early action in the sense that I am here today making this statement on behalf of the Cabinet. These issues have been agreed by Cabinet and we are taking the process forward. I have a draft timetable, which takes into account some of the statutory processes that the Government must go through at the various stages. I am advised that we require to develop a strategic environmental assessment before we can even introduce the bill—it is estimated that it will take up to six months to do that. There is no lack of willingness. I assure Parliament that I would love to introduce the bill tomorrow, but before we can, we have statutory requirements to carry out a strategic environmental assessment, a regulatory impact assessment and a variety of other things. I hope that members do not think that, in following existing provisions and the timetable that I have mentioned, the Government is doing anything other than taking the swiftest action it can take. After all, here we are before the summer recess, setting out to Parliament our intention to legislate.
The consultation will of course be open to contraction and convergence and other questions—the Government will carefully examine the evidence. I hope that the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, of which Patrick Harvie is convener, will decide to be active in the consultation and assessment that the Government is sparking today.
On the timetable to produce legislation, we are taking early action in the sense that I am here today making this statement on behalf of the Cabinet. These issues have been agreed by Cabinet and we are taking the process forward. I have a draft timetable, which takes into account some of the statutory processes that the Government must go through at the various stages. I am advised that we require to develop a strategic environmental assessment before we can even introduce the bill—it is estimated that it will take up to six months to do that. There is no lack of willingness. I assure Parliament that I would love to introduce the bill tomorrow, but before we can, we have statutory requirements to carry out a strategic environmental assessment, a regulatory impact assessment and a variety of other things. I hope that members do not think that, in following existing provisions and the timetable that I have mentioned, the Government is doing anything other than taking the swiftest action it can take. After all, here we are before the summer recess, setting out to Parliament our intention to legislate.
The consultation will of course be open to contraction and convergence and other questions—the Government will carefully examine the evidence. I hope that the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, of which Patrick Harvie is convener, will decide to be active in the consultation and assessment that the Government is sparking today.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The next item of business is a statement by John Swinney on climate change. As the minister will take questions at the end of his statement, there should be ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney):
SNP
Unchecked climate change is one of the most serious threats that we face. It is not simply an environmental challenge; it threatens people, our economies, ou...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
The minister will take statements—Laughter. Sorry. The minister will take questions on the issues that have been raised in his statement. I will allow about ...
Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab):
Lab
I thank John Swinney for the advance copy of his statement.Labour believes that there is a scientific consensus that the planet is getting warmer and that th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Mr Swinney?
John Swinney:
SNP
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Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
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John Swinney:
SNP
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Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD):
LD
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John Swinney:
SNP
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Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green):
Green
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John Swinney:
SNP
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The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
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SNP
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John Swinney:
SNP
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Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab):
Lab
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John Swinney:
SNP
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LD
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John Swinney:
SNP
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Mike Rumbles:
LD
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John Swinney:
SNP
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Con
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SNP
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SNP
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John Swinney:
SNP
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Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab):
Lab
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John Swinney:
SNP
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Stefan Tymkewycz (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
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John Swinney:
SNP
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Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
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