Climate Action Committee

Environmental impacts of hyperscale data centres in Scotland

The Committee has agreed to an inquiry on the environmental impacts of hyperscale data centres. The first phase of the inquiry will take place between October and December 2026. The Committee has agreed to consider any future work upon completion of the first phase.

Wildfires

The Committee has agreed to carry out work relating to wildfires. The approach and the timescales for this work are still to be agreed.

The health of Scotland’s rivers

The Committee has agreed to carry out an inquiry on the health of Scotland’s rivers. The approach and timescales for this work are still to be agreed.

Approach to work in session 7

On 24 September 2026, the Committee agreed to adopt a set of strategic objectives and to an approach to working involving tracking progress of several key issues.

Tracker reports

The Committee has agreed an approach to tracking and monitoring key issues throughout the session. It will include:

• inviting the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs to provide updates on progress in key areas
• holding a business planning meeting each year
• inviting public bodies working within the Committee’s remit to give evidence on their performance 

The Committee will also consider an approach to scrutinise public sector reform in the context of environmental bodies at a future date.

Approach to scrutinising ongoing work and Scottish Government strategies

The Committee has agreed an approach to monitoring progress on Scottish Government activity and policies on key areas within its remit.

Climate change and climate adaptation

The Committee will consider Climate Change Plan annual monitoring reports and Scottish National Adaptation Plan annual reports. This will include seeking updates from the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs.

It will also take evidence from the Climate Change Committee on an annual basis on progress on both plans.

The Committee will consider an approach to scrutiny of the next draft Climate Change Plan at a future meeting. It intends to write to other committees in the Scottish Parliament to inform this approach.

Nature and biodiversity

The Committee will monitor progress of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and the Delivery Plan.

It will also invite the Scottish Government’s Programme Advisory Group on nature targets to give evidence at a future meeting.

Circular Economy and Waste

The Committee is going to write to the Scottish Government on the implementation of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024. It plans to take evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs on this at a future meeting.

It will also monitor progress on the Circular Economy Strategy and roadmaps for priority sectors. The Committee plans to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs to give evidence on this topic.

Correspondence

See all of this committee's correspondence

Official Reports of meetings

See all of this committee's Official Reports

To consider and report on matters within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, with the exception of rural affairs.