Chamber
Plenary, 21 Jun 2007
21 Jun 2007 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Climate Change
The building standards that I referred to in my answer to Sarah Boyack will incorporate measures to ensure that newly constructed properties achieve higher standards. Nanette Milne asked how we will ensure compliance. They will be building standards with which any developer must comply, and local authorities must judge that under the statutory process.
Nanette Milne's second question was about improving energy efficiency in existing properties and the Conservatives' eco-bonus scheme. We are willing to consider new ideas, although we have not looked at the eco-bonus scheme so far. There is an awful lot that individual householders can do, at not particularly significant capital cost, to improve matters. My experience is that the capital payback through householders' bills is often quick because of the amount of energy that can be saved. Several excellent schemes are already in place; they are promoted by organisations such as SCARF and involve the power companies. The Government will seek ways to ensure greater awareness and uptake of such measures.
Nanette Milne's second question was about improving energy efficiency in existing properties and the Conservatives' eco-bonus scheme. We are willing to consider new ideas, although we have not looked at the eco-bonus scheme so far. There is an awful lot that individual householders can do, at not particularly significant capital cost, to improve matters. My experience is that the capital payback through householders' bills is often quick because of the amount of energy that can be saved. Several excellent schemes are already in place; they are promoted by organisations such as SCARF and involve the power companies. The Government will seek ways to ensure greater awareness and uptake of such measures.
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
Well—that was a rather curious end to the contribution.I say first that I welcome the endorsement that Rhona Brankin has given our approach. I reiterate what...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of his statement and I welcome its contents.The climate change bill in Scotland will have to be different fro...
John Swinney:
SNP
On setting flexible targets for businesses and local authorities, I refer Mr Johnstone to my answer to Rhona Brankin. It is important that every element of o...
Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD):
LD
I, too, thank Mr Swinney for an advance copy of his statement. Does he accept that two of the most important reports that have been produced on climate chang...
John Swinney:
SNP
Yes—the Government's thinking has been influenced by the Stern report and the IPCC report to which Mr Scott referred.Tavish Scott made an unanswerable point ...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green):
Green
I thank the minister for the advance copy of the statement although, as he will be aware, it will spark disappointment in some quarters, partly in relation t...
John Swinney:
SNP
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 w...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Before I call Roseanna Cunningham, I should say that a considerable number of back benchers would like to be called and I have a little leeway for spokespers...
Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP):
SNP
The cabinet secretary referred to flood management. Will he publish the public consultation on the definition of sustainable flood management, which, I belie...
John Swinney:
SNP
I assure Roseanna Cunningham that Mr Russell will attend to the publication of the consultation on sustainable flood management. We expect to publish it in d...
Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab):
Lab
I draw members' attention to my entry in the register of members' interests.I welcome the overall thrust of the minister's statement. I recognise much of it ...
John Swinney:
SNP
I thank Sarah Boyack for her question and put on record my acknowledgment of the amount of work she has done on this issue, over many years and in many diffe...
Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
Does the minister support Richard Lochhead's position on wind farms, which is that all future industrial-scale projects should be based offshore, or the Firs...
John Swinney:
SNP
The Government is supportive of a variety of forms of renewable energy. We have supported a number of onshore wind farms, and we supported the work that was ...
Mike Rumbles:
LD
Onshore wind farms?
John Swinney:
SNP
The Government has politically supported a number of onshore wind farms. On individual applications, the Government will exercise its responsibilities under ...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I particularly welcome the Government's indication that it is willing to work constructively across the UK to tackle climate change, and I look forward to se...
John Swinney:
SNP
The building standards that I referred to in my answer to Sarah Boyack will incorporate measures to ensure that newly constructed properties achieve higher s...
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
In the context of the proposed Scottish climate change bill and a framework within which Scottish industry can invest with certainty in world-beating low-car...
John Swinney:
SNP
The Government is obviously keen for the Parliament to acquire more powers to be more influential in a variety of policy areas, and climate change would be o...
Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab):
Lab
The science on climate change suggests strongly that long-term targets may be entirely irrelevant unless we take immediate action. The minister spoke about t...
John Swinney:
SNP
I have set out some early measures that can be taken, such as energy efficiency in the home and larger schemes such as that at Longannet power station and th...
Stefan Tymkewycz (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I welcome the emissions reduction targets set by the cabinet secretary and the Government's commitment to tackle climate change. Does he agree that long-term...
John Swinney:
SNP
Mr Tymkewycz tempts me on to ground that I suspect I will spend most of the next week on, and makes a substantial point about hydrogen-fuelled buses. There i...
Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
Like others, I very much welcome the spirit of what John Swinney has said and the progress indicated by the forthcoming bill. How the world community tackles...