Chamber
Plenary, 07 May 2009
07 May 2009 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Climate Change (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Like my colleagues on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, I welcome the Scottish Governments interim targets towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Achievement of the targets that are outlined in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill for investing in energy efficiency and renewable heat initiatives will depend on the Scottish Government being able to maintain a sustainable and highly skilled workforce in the environmental sector.
In February 2009, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth outlined his plans to create up to 16,000 green jobs over the next decade and claimed to be engaging with industry, skills providers and potential employers to deliver those opportunities. However, the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee has heard evidence from Northern Energy Developments and the Carbon Trust that there remain considerable skills shortages in renewable energy and in the basic energy efficiency sector. That has implications for potential employees, from those with level 2 Scottish vocational qualifications to those with degrees and postgraduate qualifications.
In my constituency of Kirkcaldy, the Adam Smith College has reported an anticipated shortfall in its ability to meet bursary commitments to its existing body of full-time students, which currently exceed £500,000. If the situation is not tackled, the Adam Smith College will have to make up for the shortfall from within its already strained budget, which will result in inevitable cuts.
I have used the example of my local college, but across Scotland the shortfall in bursary funding in the college sector is £4.1 million, which will impact on bridging the skills shortages in the renewable energy field. We have also heard that college applications have risen by between 30 and 40 per cent, and that some of those courses are already filled, which leaves no provision for school leavers who are awaiting their exam results. Addressing those skills gaps is a key part of realising renewable heat and energy efficiency targets. The Scottish Government must assess the employment implications of the plans that are outlined in the bill and work with employers and trade unions to maximise job opportunities and take a joined-up approach to the Governments skills agenda.
Further to the failings on skills, the target of reducing emissions from new buildings by 30 per cent is inconsistent with the ambitious target that was set by the Scottish Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050. Section 179 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 requires a strategy to improve energy efficiency, while the bill only outlines a plan to promote it, which makes the bill weaker than existing provisions for the domestic sector.
My constituency starts at Burntisland and finishes at Buckhaven. It is bounded along its length by the Firth of Forth, so I know only too well the impact that climate change is having on seawall structures. At the well-reported Adam Smith lecture in Kirkcaldy the other week, Kofi Annan made strong points about the impact of climate change on the poorest people in Africa, which other members have spoken about.
Buildings make up the single largest component of our carbon footprint, so if emissions from new buildings are not reduced effectively, the Government will not tackle climate change. The Government must explain the inconsistencies in the bill and say why it does not include requirements that would improve on Scottish planning policy 6. Evidence that was given to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee indicates that low-carbon and zero-carbon technologies will be essential to meet the revised energy targets.
Although the bill includes provisions on assessing the energy performance of existing non-domestic buildings in order to raise awareness of their contribution to greenhouse gases, the Scottish Government has failed to outline its intentions on the energy performance certification of domestic buildings.
The provisions in the bill will enable the Scottish ministers to create regulations to oblige building owners, responsible authorities and other bodies to improve the energy performance of non-domestic buildings. However, through the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, the Energy Saving Trust has called for the bill to include such provisions for the domestic building sector. That was also recommended by the committee but the Government has failed to take it into account.
In February 2009, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth outlined his plans to create up to 16,000 green jobs over the next decade and claimed to be engaging with industry, skills providers and potential employers to deliver those opportunities. However, the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee has heard evidence from Northern Energy Developments and the Carbon Trust that there remain considerable skills shortages in renewable energy and in the basic energy efficiency sector. That has implications for potential employees, from those with level 2 Scottish vocational qualifications to those with degrees and postgraduate qualifications.
In my constituency of Kirkcaldy, the Adam Smith College has reported an anticipated shortfall in its ability to meet bursary commitments to its existing body of full-time students, which currently exceed £500,000. If the situation is not tackled, the Adam Smith College will have to make up for the shortfall from within its already strained budget, which will result in inevitable cuts.
I have used the example of my local college, but across Scotland the shortfall in bursary funding in the college sector is £4.1 million, which will impact on bridging the skills shortages in the renewable energy field. We have also heard that college applications have risen by between 30 and 40 per cent, and that some of those courses are already filled, which leaves no provision for school leavers who are awaiting their exam results. Addressing those skills gaps is a key part of realising renewable heat and energy efficiency targets. The Scottish Government must assess the employment implications of the plans that are outlined in the bill and work with employers and trade unions to maximise job opportunities and take a joined-up approach to the Governments skills agenda.
Further to the failings on skills, the target of reducing emissions from new buildings by 30 per cent is inconsistent with the ambitious target that was set by the Scottish Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050. Section 179 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 requires a strategy to improve energy efficiency, while the bill only outlines a plan to promote it, which makes the bill weaker than existing provisions for the domestic sector.
My constituency starts at Burntisland and finishes at Buckhaven. It is bounded along its length by the Firth of Forth, so I know only too well the impact that climate change is having on seawall structures. At the well-reported Adam Smith lecture in Kirkcaldy the other week, Kofi Annan made strong points about the impact of climate change on the poorest people in Africa, which other members have spoken about.
Buildings make up the single largest component of our carbon footprint, so if emissions from new buildings are not reduced effectively, the Government will not tackle climate change. The Government must explain the inconsistencies in the bill and say why it does not include requirements that would improve on Scottish planning policy 6. Evidence that was given to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee indicates that low-carbon and zero-carbon technologies will be essential to meet the revised energy targets.
Although the bill includes provisions on assessing the energy performance of existing non-domestic buildings in order to raise awareness of their contribution to greenhouse gases, the Scottish Government has failed to outline its intentions on the energy performance certification of domestic buildings.
The provisions in the bill will enable the Scottish ministers to create regulations to oblige building owners, responsible authorities and other bodies to improve the energy performance of non-domestic buildings. However, through the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, the Energy Saving Trust has called for the bill to include such provisions for the domestic building sector. That was also recommended by the committee but the Government has failed to take it into account.
In the same item of business
Resumed debate.
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson):
NPA
For the sake of people in the public gallery, I should explain that the next item of business is a continuation of yesterdays debate on motion S3M-3963, in t...
The Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism (Jim Mather):
SNP
Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I have just passed the manual dexterity test.I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on day 2 of the stage 1 ...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green):
Green
Given what the minister has said about renewable energy, does he agree with the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committees recommendation that t...
Jim Mather:
SNP
The delivery plan will provide that additional detail. I expect it to evolve along the lines that Patrick Harvie suggests.Our status and standing will be fur...
Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con):
Con
The minister mentioned renewable heat. Does he think that section 51 of the bill, which deals with renewable heat, goes far enough to make Scotland lead the ...
Jim Mather:
SNP
There is always scope to improve, but I think that section 51 contributes to our being allowed to make the claim that we are world leading.In addition to our...
Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab):
Lab
Yesterday, Sarah Boyack said that the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill is potentially the most important legislation that we will pass in the current session. ...
The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (Stewart Stevenson):
SNP
I believe that we and the Administration at Westminster have a common purpose. Our targets are part of the UK targets, so I am confident that we will be able...
Lewis Macdonald:
Lab
I welcome that statement of intent, although it is not quite a response to my question about the discussions that the ministers officials have had; perhaps w...
Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD):
LD
It is easy for us to ask what difference a small country like ours can make, but there is no doubt that we can make a difference. Climate change is complex, ...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
I absolutely accept that the previous Administration worked on tackling climate change. It will be important that we build on that work, rather than start an...
Jim Hume:
LD
Yes. As I said, this is "a continuation of the good work".The second point to arise is that, as my colleagues have said repeatedly, what we need to see from ...
Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
The Scottish Governments proposed actions to tackle climate change are both bold and essential—and rather more clear-throated than I am. The urgency of the s...
Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab):
Lab
Like my colleagues on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, I welcome the Scottish Governments interim targets towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
It might be useful if I say that, through building regulations, we have a three-yearly programme of upgrading standards. To use that method is more appropria...
Marilyn Livingstone:
Lab
I take that point on board but, as a committee member, I am presenting to Parliament evidence that we heard from experts.A programme is urgently needed to im...
John Scott (Ayr) (Con):
Con
As ever, I begin by declaring an interest as a farmer in this important debate on climate change. I will quote Robert Burns, rather than Voltaire, who said:"...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
Is the member aware that, in my parliamentary constituency, there is an excellent facility that is recycling food waste? In fact, the private sector is in ma...
John Scott:
Con
The minister should forgive me for not being aware of what is going on in his constituency, but I am sure that the facility to which he refers is of enormous...
Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP):
SNP
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this debate, as I truly believe that the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill will be part of this Governments—and, i...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
Does the member agree that on this issue—uniquely to date—the largest retail businesses and their customers are doing great work to reduce the number of carr...
Angela Constance:
SNP
I accept that the voluntary agreement is resulting in reduced use of plastic carrier bags, but I am concerned that that may be counterproductive and that we ...
Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
As members know, I have been pottering about as an elected politician for more than a quarter of a century. I have seldom seen an issue rise up the political...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
I very much agree with that. When Barack Obama said,"We will harness the sun and the wind and the soil",he left the tides to Scotland. Is that not a key oppo...
Peter Peacock:
Lab
I am glad to see that the SNP has bought into the claims that the Pentland Firth will be the Saudi Arabia of renewables. I support what will be going on ther...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
The new Acharacle primary school will need hardly any extra heat put into it. Does the member agree that it is best to build houses that will need no energy ...
Peter Peacock:
Lab
I completely agree. That intervention brings me neatly to my next point, which is about regulation—
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
It is your last point, Mr Peacock.
Peter Peacock:
Lab
It is my last point and I will make it quickly. If the individual citizen cannot act, we must act collectively, for example through regulation. The need to i...