1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 3 in private.

2. Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill:

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

Jocelyn Blériot, Executive Lead, International Institutions and Policy, Ellen MacArthur Foundation;

Line Kikkenborg Christensen, Partner Advocacy Officer, Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF);

Anna Larsson, Director of Circular Economy Development, Reloop Platform;

Charis Scott, Campaigns and Communications Lead, Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland (WEAll Scotland);

Emma Hallett, Programme Lead, Resource Management Policy, WRAP Cymru;

and then from—

Toni Freitas, Lecturer in Circular Economy and Programme Director, MSc Circular Economy, University of Edinburgh;

Dr Henry Irving, Senior Lecturer in Public History, Leeds Beckett University;

Dr Feja Lesniewska, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Transitions and Environmental Law, School of Law, University of Surrey and Honorary Associate Professor, Department for Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London;

Dr Melissa Marques-McEwan, Assistant Professor of Sustainable and Circular Businesses, Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University; and

Professor Aileen McHarg, Professor of Public Law and Human Rights, Durham University.

Monica Lennon indicated that she is Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Construction.

3. Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.