Chamber and committees

Can the cabinet secretary confirm whether the change will mean that Zero Waste Scotland is open to freedom of information requests at this point?

The bank was established in November 2020, and the legislation says:

“The Scottish Ministers must establish and maintain an advisory group to provide them with advice on the Bank’s objects, conduct and performance.”

Through a freedom of information request, I found out that the wage bill for the bank has almost doubled over the past two years, to a whopping £9.7 million. Cabinet secretary, when there is no advisory group in place to monitor the bank’s conduct and performance, how can we be assured that the Scottish National Party has not created another gravy train?

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Scottish National Investment Bank is operating legally, in light of reports that the advisory group that was meant to be established by the Scottish ministers has not yet been established. (S6O-03646)

I extend my best wishes to Màiri McAllan as she heads off on maternity leave. I am sure that she will be a fantastic mum, and I look forward to seeing her back in Parliament later in the session. As a parent, I remember only too well the sleepless nights, the stress and the worry, but I guess that, as a member of the SNP Government, that is something that Ms McAllan is already used to.

I also welcome Gillian Martin to the role of cabinet secretary. She will bring a wealth of experience to the position, and it is good to see a former oil and gas spin doctor, as The Ferret referred to her, becoming cabinet secretary. I enjoy debating with Gillian Martin because I am sure that, deep down, she does not agree with her party’s presumption against oil and gas, and I am sure that, deep down, she supports the Rosebank development. I look forward to her changing her party’s position and protecting the north-east economy. I also want to congratulate Dr Alasdair Allan on getting back into Government—finally, a recycling target that the Government has met. We will support the motion today.

On electricity infrastructure, I have already said that we would work with communities to put in place infrastructure that works for those communities.

I must admit that I am a bit perplexed about why the Scottish National Party has decided to bring to the chamber a debate on the subject of the climate emergency when it has failed so dismally to meet its own climate targets and obligations.

Only six days ago, it was revealed that another target has been missed. That brings the grand total to nine failures out of 13 targets. The devolved SNP Government is asking the public to judge it on its record. That record is one of failure, overpromising, underdelivering and an abandonment of industries in the north-east.

To come to the chamber today and laud so-called achievements is complete nonsense. I have no idea how the minister can say such things with a straight face.

Once again, we see the Scottish Government taking no responsibility. As far as I am aware, the Conservative Party has not blocked anything that is coming through the Scottish Parliament. Only the Greens and the SNP are blocking issues—as we saw yesterday, when they blocked our proposals to put back recycling targets into legislation.

All those questions should be the focus of the Scottish Government’s remarks today, not false patting on the back for the great achievement of missing targets and failing in its obligations on climate change.

The Climate Change Committee also noted that the policy and plans that the Government had in place would not be enough to achieve the legal targets that are required under the Climate Change Act 2008. There was significant concern, particularly in relation to devolved areas of competence including buildings, transport, agriculture, land use and waste. Yet again, rather than coming forward with a clear plan for how we can move forward, the devolved SNP Government is coming forward with platitudes and promises.

If we are to meet our obligations, we need a clear plan with achievable and measurable targets that works with communities and industries. We also need a Government that will take that forward and deliver a true, just transition for everyone in Scotland as we move towards more renewable energy sources. However, we have no plan in Scotland.

That is because the infrastructure will have to be done with communities, not to communities—it cannot be done by riding roughshod over them. There needs to be proper consultation, and that is not happening with the communities that I talk to.

The SNP Government committed to publishing a route map for the delivery of around 25,000 electric vehicle charging points by 2030. Yet here we are, halfway through 2024, with no indication of how that will be achieved. To meet that target, the Government will have to install 384 charging points a month from now until the end of 2029. Does anyone in the chamber believe that that will happen? We need a plan.

The devolved Government also stated that it will decarbonise our railway by 2035. That sounds great, but there is no plan to do that. When I ask when the 50-year-old diesel intercity 125s will be replaced, I do not get an answer. When I ask whether the east coast main line between Aberdeen and the central belt will be electrified, I get no answer. When I ask when the promised £200 million to reduce journey times between Aberdeen and the central belt by 20 minutes will happen, which is meant to be by 2026, I do not get an answer. The SNP Government has broken so many promises. That is why it simply cannot be trusted any more.

Given the failure to meet nine of the current 13 targets, members will forgive our scepticism. That scepticism is well placed. Audit Scotland has said that the climate change governance arrangements are missing core elements. The Scottish Government is facing legal challenge for the mismanagement of the introduction of the deposit return scheme. It is missing four of the six recycling targets. The Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill, which will complete its passage through Parliament today, will do little to increase those rates. The Scottish Conservatives lodged sensible amendments to drive up recycling rates, but each one was knocked back by the SNP and the so-called Greens.

It is quite clear that there is no climate change plan from this Government. It was meant to be here over a year ago, but we have no sign of it whatsoever. We have no idea when it will be here.

It is vital that, in our deliberations and decision making on climate change, we listen to experts and follow the science. We know that nuclear is a viable, safe and desirable alternative to carbon-based fuels, but the Scottish Government has discounted it without looking at the science.

Scotland is at risk of being left behind globally in the move to smaller, more locally based nuclear power. The Scottish Government should look again at the issue and listen to science and experts in the field. The contribution of nuclear to our energy mix is vital, but it is currently being run down, with no plans to replace it. That must be looked at again to ensure that we have a stable energy mix.

Is there time for more interventions, Deputy Presiding Officer?