Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 March 2026 [Draft]
05 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Draft Climate Change Plan
I want to move on from that, Mr Kerr.
Transport is a major emitter. The draft plan talks about modal shifts and encourages walking, cycling, the use of public transport and a reduction in dependency on cars. We have spoken about incentives such as free bus travel for under-22s and investment in active travel infrastructure.
Walking is key. Members will know that I have done lots of walking since I had my little health scare and have seen the benefits of that. We heard from Walking Scotland about the ambition for a £50 million path fund. That is being discussed and it is something that I support and that I encourage the Government to look at. We must encourage walking and cycling for health, leisure and work and we must support active travel hubs.
We have spoken about the issue of car mileage and use, which is something that we need to look at. The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, spoke about that. Bus passenger numbers have dropped since the Covid pandemic, and the Scottish Government has looked at incentives to get people back on to buses, such as free bus travel for the under-22s and a cap on bus fares.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20964, in the name of Edward Mountain, on the draft climate change plan, on behalf of the Net Zero, Energ...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Helpfully, my office has written the word “farmer” at the start of the speech, to which I have added “Not yet.” However, because we will be talking about agr...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Thank you, Mr Mountain. Can I ask you to move the motion, please?
Edward Mountain
Con
I apologise, Presiding Officer. My notes do say to move the motion at the end of my speech, but I did not see them.I move,That the Parliament notes the findi...
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
Thanks for the opportunity to contribute to the debate on behalf of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. First, I offer my sincere thanks to all the ...
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
I am pleased to contribute to today’s important debate on behalf of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.We examined the buildings element of...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to speak on behalf of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee to set out the findings of our scrutiny of the agriculture and land use chapters o...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the member for raising that issue, which I, too, have raised. If the agriculture sector is to be able to make the transition that is needed, does it ...
Finlay Carson
Con
I could not agree more. Sadly, however, very little policy has come before the Parliament other than legislation that ensures continuity of the common agricu...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I call Clare Adamson to open on behalf of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.15:18
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
As part of our pre-budget scrutiny for 2026-27, the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee considered the role of the culture sector in...
The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy (Gillian Martin)
SNP
I am pleased to speak in this important debate on the Scottish Government’s draft climate change plan, the policies and proposals that it includes, the oppor...
Sarah Boyack
Lab
I will mention solar power in my speech, but will the cabinet secretary have a solar plan that fits into the final climate change plan?
Gillian Martin
SNP
The solar vision has been worked on in Scotland, and we will see what energy mix is available. We are looking at all the generators of electricity. A couple ...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Gillian Martin
SNP
I am over time, so I will go to the end of my speech.We have consistently raised the issue that we are already getting on with delivery. That is why the Scot...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I advise members that there is a bit of time in hand, so if you take interventions, you will get the time back, and possibly a bit more. Douglas Lumsden is n...
Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer.I speak with a lot of disappointment, to be honest. What should have been a landmark report for this Parliament is instead a cat...
Gillian Martin
SNP
What action that is not in the climate change plan would Douglas Lumsden, who holds the shadow portfolio for his party, include in it?
Douglas Lumsden
Con
I will come on to some of the targets that should be in the plan.The plan sets out aspirations, which have their place. It is right that the Government estab...
Gillian Martin
SNP
On heat in buildings, what plans would the member who is the shadow for this portfolio put in a plan that he would devise? How would he decarbonise homes?
Douglas Lumsden
Con
Any plan should have real and proper targets that can be measured. This plan does not have any of that. We cannot wish our way to net zero. If the Government...
Stephen Kerr
Con
If the Government were serious about a plan with detail in it, it would not be cutting college funding in the way that it has done over the past five years, ...
Douglas Lumsden
Con
I completely agree. Once again, the SNP cannot wish its way to cheaper electricity. The same applies to the SNP’s claims that it would reduce people’s bills ...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Mr Lumsden has highlighted the issue of cheaper electricity. In order to reach net zero, we need cheaper electricity, but we also need more electricity. That...
Douglas Lumsden
Con
If only we had an energy strategy, we could maybe look at what we need. We should have a proper energy mix with nuclear, oil and gas and renewables. This Gov...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
You are not being honest.
Douglas Lumsden
Con
It is not telling people what the push for net zero by 2045 will mean for households. It is not telling people who live in a flat why they will have to pay u...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Douglas Lumsden
Con
I will give way.