Hansard

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.