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Item 4 is consideration of another approach paper, on pre-legislative activity in relation to climate change. Once again, we have a detailed paper and I ask for members' views.
It is particularly important that we avoid any temptation to rush off and do or suggest something on a Scotland-only basis. It is important that whatever we do ties into the United Kingdom, European and, ideally, worldwide stage, because that is the nature of climate change and the fight that we need to put up against it. Therefore, the paper takes the right approach in suggesting that we have a broad base in our considerations.
I feel strongly that, although there is already broad support for a domestic target-based approach, it does not make sense to think about that in isolation—the legislation will be within the context of the mechanisms at the European Union and UK levels.
We in Scotland will have to play to our strengths, but we are playing a worldwide game.
It is important that we take a wide view and try to pick up as many approaches as possible. However, finally, we will have to consider the issues over which we have competence and discuss precisely what targets, if any, we will set and how we will get the 3 per cent yearly carbon reduction—we can contribute to that in many ways. The purpose of looking broadly is to find out about other approaches and then to reach concrete conclusions about how the Government might approach the matter. We must challenge the Government with ideas that are perhaps beyond those that people have already had. I hope that that will be our aim in taking that wider view.
I am happy with the paper. I agree that we need to take a wide approach. As always when we are involved in proposed legislation, it is important that we check out what people in Scotland think and ensure that they have an opportunity to bring evidence, views and perhaps new ideas to the committee. The paper is a good starting point and I am happy to support it.
I, too, think that the paper is a good one. It is important that we try seriously not to duplicate work, whether that is in other Parliaments, other committees, or the proposed cross-party group on climate change. Many people are considering the matter from different angles. It is important that the committee takes a strategic look at what is happening in the round, in all the committees and Parliaments, and brings that back. The paper sets out that approach well.
Do members agree to proceed on the basis of the proposals in paragraph 18 of the approach paper?
Do members agree that I should approach the Conveners Group to request its approval for a visit?
A low-carbon visit.
It will be as low carbon a visit as we can possibly humanly manage.
Meeting closed at 14:31.
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