1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 3 in private. The Committee also agreed its consideration of a draft stage 1 report on the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill will be taken in private at future meetings.

2. Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill:

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

Claudia Cowie, Team Leader - Sustainability and Climate Change, Aberdeenshire Council;

Jamie Brogan, Head of Climate Partnerships, Edinburgh Climate Change Institute;

Cornilius Chikwama, Audit Director, Audit Scotland;

Alison Leslie, Team Leader - Climate and Sustainability Policy , Aberdeen City Council;

Mike Rivington, Senior Scientist, The James Hutton Institute.

Jackie Dunbar declared an interest as a former Councillor for Aberdeen City Council.

Douglas Lumsden declared an interest as a former Councillor for Aberdeen City Council.

3. Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.