Committee
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee 22 February 2011
22 Feb 2011 · S3 · Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee
Item of business
“Public Bodies Climate Change Duties: Putting Them Into Practice” and “A Low Carbon Economic Strategy for Scotland”
We have recently announced the £70 million national renewables infrastructure fund, which is one of the big commitments that we are making.When we talk about investment, we need to be careful that we do not default always to that being Government funding and Government investment. The point about the low-carbon economic strategy is that it begins to direct the private sector to the opportunities that exist for private investment, because that is what we need to kick start.Dependence on Government investment alone, regardless of who is in government and where, will be a big challenge in the present public sector financial climate. We want the private sector to see and understand the opportunities and come forward with ideas. There are a couple of issues around this particular question that are still up in the air because the green investment bank appears to be a bit of a work in progress and we do not quite know how it is going to work in practice. I know that many players in the private sector are anxious to see how it will work.This Government—and, I anticipate any Government—will want to do what it can, but it cannot be the sole source of investment funds for activity; I do not want to give the impression that it can be. However, we are working hard to create the right atmosphere for investment. That was the purpose of last year’s conference and of the First Minister’s commitment to repeat the conference every year. It is about creating a climate of confidence in Scotland to get the private sector in particular to understand that the country is committed to a low-carbon economy. It is important that a climate of confidence is created because, out of that, we will get the private sector to commit to investing.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Green
The next item gives us an opportunity to take evidence from the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Roseanna Cunningham, on two documents: “Public B...
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Roseanna Cunningham)
SNP
Thank you for the invitation, convener. Because we are covering two documents, my remarks are a minute or two longer than the five minutes that I would norma...
The Convener
Green
That is fine. Thank you, minister. Let us set the scene a little further. You mentioned the decarbonisation of electricity generation in your remarks on the ...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
Renewable heat capacity is about 1.4 per cent of generation—we are coming from a good bit further back in some areas. That figure will be updated by the end ...
The Convener
Green
Notwithstanding the recession, emissions from road transport have increased. The issue is not just about suddenly convincing everybody that electric vehicles...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I do not suppose that we can afford to wait until every car is electric. In any case, that will probably never happen, because it would be impractical in big...
The Convener
Green
I presume that the Government still intends to try to achieve its target without harder demand-management measures.14:15
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
As you know, our current intention is to try to achieve as much as we can by taking people with us voluntarily. However, if at some point in the future we de...
The Convener
Green
What is your response to the view expressed by the Sustainable Development Commission in its most recent assessment report that the Government could be doing...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
First, we have to remind ourselves that the strategy is not a once-and-for-all document that is written in concrete for ever and anon. It will be a dynamic p...
Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con)
Con
I have a follow-up question on the point that you made about motor vehicles. Obviously, the more quickly that we can move towards having a large percentage o...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I hesitate to tiptoe into the portfolio area of one of my colleagues. I indicated that a low-carbon vehicle action plan was about to be published, but that i...
Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab)
Lab
I will explore issues around investment. The low-carbon economic strategy highlights the significant challenge of the funding that is required to develop low...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
We have recently announced the £70 million national renewables infrastructure fund, which is one of the big commitments that we are making.When we talk about...
Cathy Peattie
Lab
Are you confident that we can move forward? Will the 2020 group help to facilitate the partnership between Government and the private sector?
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
Yes. It is already doing precisely that. Shortly after I had a meeting with Ian Marchant from the 2020 group, I had a meeting in the same building with the c...
Cathy Peattie
Lab
I look forward to reading it when it comes out.I was going to develop some of those points but I think that you have answered some of my next questions.
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
Sorry.
Cathy Peattie
Lab
No, that is fine. I am happy that you have answered them.I am interested in how the Government can “influence the development of a new financial architecture...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
Some of what I have just said relates to that, particularly with regard to the conference and our desire to have it happen every single year. It is about cre...
Cathy Peattie
Lab
Did you find the conference helpful in developing that partnership for future investment?
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I was not at the conference myself, as it predated my current job. However, all the outcomes from it suggest to me that it was a positive exercise, which is ...
Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
In reporting on the RPP, the committee expressed a concern that there could be delays in implementing some parts of it, as the Government is reliant in some ...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
Indeed I can. Coincidentally, I met the EU commissioner who is responsible for dealing with climate change a couple of weeks ago, and that was the precise ar...
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
On that subject, there is a note in today’s Financial Times that Britain, Germany and Poland are not taking a full part in the trading scheme arrangements. I...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I do not read the Financial Times on a regular basis. I certainly know that Poland is one of the countries where there is considerable scepticism. I would be...
Rob Gibson
SNP
It was Germany.
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
Sorry, I meant Britain and Germany. I would be surprised if Britain was being a little more negative than I would have hoped. We will continue to press the U...
Alison McInnes
LD
I am reassured by what I hear from the minister. You have explained the dialogue that takes place, particularly with the EU, and that is useful. Scotland can...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
Yes.