I, too, congratulate Gordon MacDonald for securing the debate, because it is a great opportunity to talk about the fantastic work that is being done at Heriot-Watt.

Heriot-Watt University is a leading institution in our city. Its work resonates around the world and, thanks to the creation of international campuses in the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, this Edinburgh institution continues to create a global impact.

Heriot-Watt holds a special place in my heart, as it was there that I taught town planning as a lecturer and saw at first hand the amazing impact that the institution has on students and our community alike. The new centre for sustainable brewing and distilling will cement Heriot-Watt’s reputation at the forefront of one of Scotland’s most critical industries, because—as colleagues have said—brewing and distilling is one of Scotland’s iconic and oldest industries. For many abroad, Scotch defines Scotland, and we need to cherish and cultivate the industry.

Heriot-Watt has been at the forefront of training generations of brewers for decades. The master distillers at Ardbikie Highland estate and at our capital’s very own Edinburgh Gin studied their craft at Heriot-Watt. Now, once again, Heriot-Watt is defining the future of that field, taking an industry that has defined our history and equipping it with the tools for the future.

As a passionate advocate for tackling climate change, I am truly inspired to see one of our universities invest so heavily in the technology that will deliver net zero change. The centre will equip the Scotch industry with the tools that it requires to fully decarbonise its productions. In helping firms to trial low-carbon heat, CO₂ capture and water saving, it will provide a valuable resource for breweries, now and in the future.

As other members have said, the proposal builds on the fantastic research that Heriot-Watt has already carried out. The unique vertical Port of Leith Distillery is testament to the research and development that has been carried out in collaboration with Heriot-Watt.

Indeed, Heriot-Watt’s international centre for brewing and distilling was established by one of its most prominent professors and former chancellors, Sir Geoff Palmer, who—as Gordon MacDonald said earlier—sadly passed away this year. I think that it is appropriate to pay tribute tonight to his fantastic contribution to the sector, because he was a man who achieved so much in his career. He was born in Jamaica and became the first black professor in Scotland.

Sir Geoff’s research in the area of barley continues to influence the industry today. I was inspired to hear about the scholarship that has been set up in his memory to support students of Jamaican descent. There are so many brewers and distillers who owe their training to the facilities that Geoff set up. By building a centre for sustainable brewing and distilling, Heriot-Watt University will unlock a whole new generation of research and ensure that one of Scotland’s biggest cultural and economic exports becomes a world leader in sustainability.

I am proud that, once again, our higher education sector is proving why it is so renowned, promoting a key Scottish industry while ensuring that we are at the forefront in the fight against the climate emergency.

Scottish Labour has been clear that oil and gas will be part of Scotland’s and the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. We were clear about that in our election manifesto, in which we said that we would support existing licences. The Rosebank field has been previously licensed, and the Finch judgment means that environmental impact has to be properly considered—something that the UK Government is now acting on, as opposed to the previous Tory failure.

We need to reduce our dependence on volatile international markets for fossil fuels and accelerate a shift away from oil and gas. However, as we discussed in yesterday’s members’ business debate on the “Striking the Balance” report, we need joined-up thinking and action so that we deliver a fair transition for the workers who currently work in our oil and gas sector and support the work of our trade unions, which, over the years, have negotiated decent terms and conditions and pay for people in that sector. We also need to acknowledge the work of the Just Transition Commission and the Just Transition Partnership.

We need investment at Grangemouth; in our ports and harbours; in supporting the oil and gas sector to decarbonise its operations as it continues; in the manufacture of renewables kit in Scotland; and in making more energy efficient the shipping infrastructure that all our energy sectors use.

We have to make the most of Scotland’s huge potential in renewable energy. That means not just producing our electricity but maximising its use to power and heat our homes and buildings.

Critically, it made sure that the national wealth fund would support energy, so that we had reliable electricity and reduced constraints on Scottish wind farms.

As countries meet to discuss COP30, we need to make sure that our communities are protected from extreme weather.

I move amendment S6M-19367.5, to leave out from “opposes” to end and insert:

“recognises that oil and gas will be part of Scotland and the UK’s energy mix for decades to come; acknowledges that the Rosebank oil and gas field has previously been licensed and is currently being considered under new environmental guidance; agrees that the long-term aim for Scotland and the UK should be to reduce dependence on volatile, international markets for fossil fuels; considers that this will require the realisation of Scotland’s huge potential in renewable energy, and regrets, therefore, the failure of the Scottish National Party (SNP) administration to bring forward its promised energy strategy, and believes that a properly managed energy transition, which manages existing North Sea oil and gas fields for the entirety of their lifespan and invests in low-carbon energy and energy efficiency across the country, is required to protect and maximise jobs, reduce the need for increased imports, and ensure that Scotland maintains its international reputation for excellence in energy skills.”

Do other witnesses have thoughts on those ideas?

Okay. Murdo MacLeod, do you have a view on the issue?

That is helpful. Do other witnesses have any comments on that?

That is helpful.

My next question is about remediation being provided by an operator, rather than just a compensation payment, and the issue of the confiscation of the proceeds of crime. Does the bill go far enough in those areas, or should it go further? It has been suggested that those penalties could be imposed under existing laws, such as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. What do you think the best options are, whether in the bill or elsewhere?

That is okay.