Minutes: 18 November 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5 and 6 in private.

2. Adapting to the impacts of climate change:

The Committee took evidence from—

Richard Millar, Head of Adaptation, Climate Change Committee.

In relation to discussions on agriculture, drought and water abstraction, Edward Mountain referred to his registered interests in a farming partnership in Moray and in relation to the River Spey.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025 (SI 2025/1101)

Motor Vehicles (Competitions and Trials) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/300)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instruments. The Committee also agreed, in relation to SI 2025/1101, to write to the Scottish Government to request more information on the impact of the instrument on targets for zero-emissions vehicles and on overall emissions.

4. UK Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered proposals by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating in a devolved area as set out in the following UK statutory instrument proposals—

The GB Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Control of Mercury (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Committee agreed that the provision set out in the notifications should be included in the UK statutory instruments. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government regarding its decision.

Regarding the Control of Mercury (Amendment) Regulations 2025, in writing to the Scottish Government to communicate its decision, the Committee agreed to seek the Scottish Government’s views on aligning with the EU in relation to the prohibition of mercury-added products.

5. Adapting to the impacts of climate change (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee discussed future scrutiny of the draft Climate Change Plan and agreed to launch a consultation aimed at engaging with communities on the draft Climate Change Plan.

The Committee agreed to delegate responsibility to the Convener to write a letter updating other Committee Conveners on scrutiny of the draft Climate Change Plan.

The Committee agreed to further consider its scrutiny of the draft Climate Change Plan at next weeks meeting.

The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government to seek further information on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill Legislative Consent Memorandum.