Hansard

I am delighted to open for the Scottish Conservatives in this important debate on Scotland’s water. Living about an hour away from Dalness in beautiful Glen Etive, which is Britain's wettest place, and in an area—the west Highlands—that is one of the wettest parts of western Europe, I have seen my fair share of water. As a result, though, I particularly appreciate the value of our water and the many means by which we can use it to benefit local communities and our economy. I am proud of the fact that the region that I represent here contributes such a significant and important natural resource, and I am upbeat about the progress that has been made in delivering the ultimate goal of making Scotland a hydro nation.

We on this side of the chamber welcome the publication of the Scottish Government’s hydro nation review report, and I thank the Scottish Government for publishing it well in advance of this debate. Indeed, we welcome the fact that the report was produced past the point at which reports are required by statute, and we hope that the Scottish Government will continue to provide Parliament with regular updates on the progress of the hydro nation agenda through the lifetime of this Parliament.

I am delighted that much progress is being made. Given that Scotland’s water is worth £1.8 billion per annum to the Scottish economy, it is vital that we continue to invest, improve and lead the way in building the water economy. We welcome the many areas of progress that are noted in the report, and at this point I pay tribute to the scholars programme which, as the report points out, has produced its first scholar, Dr Christopher Schulz, alongside 16 other PhD scholars who are immersed in the programme. I am also proud of the fact that, as we continue to build our own water industry and economy, we are sharing those practices internationally, in particular with developing countries such as Malawi—which I will come back to later—to help them develop a thriving water economy.

We also welcome the fact that, as a result of the focus on the water economy, new technologies are being brought to market that will help, over time, boost the economic benefit of Scotland’s water. In particular, we know that one of the goals of hydro nation is to deliver a low-carbon water nation and to ensure that we manage our water resource so that it reduces its carbon intensity. In that respect, it would have been interesting if the report had elaborated on what specifically is being done in that area, particularly the progress in delivering new technologies for treating waste water and producing clean drinking water, which, as we know, is very energy intensive. It will be interesting, nonetheless, to learn about the success of the new water treatment technologies that are currently being trialled at the Gorthleck innovation test centre, which the cabinet secretary mentioned.

We strongly welcome the work that is being done by the programme to support other countries to develop similar water programmes. I am encouraged by the strength of our continued relationship with Malawi and the manner in which that long-standing and historic connection has allowed us to share ideas, create new success stories for each other, and cement the positive impact that multination partnerships have on that state and its citizens. The report notes many positive steps in that relationship and how we are helping Malawi to develop its water economy, ensuring that its citizens can have the kind of access to water that we often take for granted. Furthermore, we are encouraged by the support that has been offered to India, and the best practice that is being shared with many developed states such as Ireland, Canada and Australia.

However, our global commitments to improve water resource will not be met simply through the action of one Government, which is why I strongly welcome the interventions of the UK Government and its excellent record in this sphere. The UK Government has committed to ensuring that another 60 million people are able to access clean water and sanitation by 2020. That is an ambitious target that will be met only through our continued commitment to international development. Between 2011 and 2015, the Department for International Development helped 64.5 million people gain access to clean water, improved sanitation or better hygiene conditions. DFID has built new wells, pumps, standpipes, toilets and sewerage systems, which is work that complements the work that has been done by the Scottish Government and by private sector organisations, charities and others here in Scotland.

Of course, the drive to improve global water access and treatment does not only involve the efforts of the Scottish or UK Governments, because our people have played a strong part in supporting water development abroad. Across Scotland, there are many individuals, small businesses, and charities that have set out to go further and support people whom the state has not yet been able to help. The Edinburgh-based beer firm Brewgooder is one good example of that. It was set up with a mission to donate 100 per cent of its profits to clean water charities and set a target of ensuring that 1 million people can get access to drinking water. So far, since 2016, it has helped 33,000 people and supported 60 different projects in Malawi, and I am sure that everyone in the chamber wishes it the best of luck as it strives to meet its overarching target.