Minutes: 23 September 2025

Tuesday, 23 September 2025

28th Meeting, 2025

Start time:08:48am

End time: 12:59pm

Location: T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room

Published: Wednesday, 24 September 2025

Committee Members Attendees:

Substitute Members Attendees:

Sarah Boyack (Substitute Member)

Also Present:

Monica Lennon did not participate as a member of the Committee for agenda items 1, 2 and 3 by virtue of Rule 9.13A.2(b), but attended in her capacity as member in charge of the Bill under Rule 12.2.3(a) for agenda item 2. Sarah Boyack attended as a substitute member under Rule 12.2A.2 for agenda items 1, 2 and 3. Monica Lennon attended as member of the Committee for agenda item 4.
Dr Kirsten Jenkins and Professor Colin Reid (advisers)

Minutes

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3 and 4 in private.

2. Ecocide (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Jamie Whittle, Chair, Environmental Law Sub-committee, Law Society of Scotland;

Valerie Fogleman, Professor of Law, Cardiff University School of Law and Politics; Consultant, Stevens & Bolton LLP;

Sue Miller, Chief Networks Officer, Stop Ecocide International;

Dr Shivali Fifield, Chief Officer, Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland;

and then from—

Catherine McWilliam, Nations Director - Scotland, Institute of Directors Scotland;

Professor Simon Parsons, Director of Environment, Planning and Assurance, Scottish Water;

Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation;

Jonnie Hall, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Policy, National Farmers Union Scotland.

In relation to discussion on agriculture, Edward Mountain declared he is a partner in Delfur Farms Farming Partnership, of Moray, and in relation to a discussion on river abstraction, he declared he has an interest in the River Spey.

3. Ecocide (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

4. Subordinate Legislation (In Private):

The Committee considered a draft report on the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (Scottish Carbon Budgets) Amendment Regulations 2025. Various changes were agreed to. The Committee agreed to consider further changes drafted by the clerk by correspondence and to delegate to the Convener responsibility for finalising the draft report for publication. The Committee agreed to consider a further draft of the report at its next meeting if they are unable to agree to the changes by correspondence.