Minutes: 27 January 2026

1. Decision on taking business in private:

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

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026 from—

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Lucy Geoghegan, Head of Unit, Net Zero Economy and Carbon Markets, Natalie Bertagna, Senior Policy Advisor and Norman Munro, Lawyer, Scottish Government.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a partner in a family farming partnership in Moray that uses fertiliser.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Gillian Martin (Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy) moved—S6M-19991—That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to. 

4. Draft Climate Change Plan:

The Committee took evidence from—

Claire Mack, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables;

Gemma Grimes, Director of Policy and Delivery, Solar Energy UK;

Professor Matthew Hannon, Professor of Sustainable Energy Business and Policy, University of Strathclyde.

Sarah Boyack declared an interest as a member of the Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative.

5. Draft Climate Change Plan (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting. The Committee also considered the evidence heard at its past meetings on 16 December, 6 January and 20 January.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee agreed to write to the Climate Change Committee to invite them to give public evidence on the draft Climate Change Plan.

The Committee agreed to write to stakeholders on the UK Railways Bill LCM.