Chamber and committees

The next two colleagues join us remotely.

The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-01820, in the name of Paul McLennan, on the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to participate to press their request-to-speak button as soon as possible or to put an R in the chat function.

Motion debated,

That the Parliament notes that 25 November 2021, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December 2021, Human Rights Day, are the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence; understands that 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Global 16 Days Campaign; recognises that this year’s theme is femicide, calling for awareness, action and accountability, all year round; notes the view that all men must take action to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls; praises the work of organisations working towards tackling violence against women across Scotland, including Zero Tolerance, Scottish Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland and White Ribbon Scotland; welcomes these global days of action, intended to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls, and condemns any such violence.

Thank you, Mr FitzPatrick. I echo that pledge, too.

We have five speakers and five minutes left. There should be succinct questions and responses as far as possible.

I advise colleagues that, understandably, there is a large amount of interest in participating in the debate and it is likely that we will have to extend it. We will do that at the appropriate stage in the debate.

The next item of business is a statement by Humza Yousaf on the independent review of maternity services in Moray. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of his statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions.

The purpose of this short debate is perhaps a little hard to discern. However, if it provides a chance for the Parliament to restate our collective commitment to a just transition that puts workers and citizens first and ensures a resilient economy that is built on green jobs, it may yet be an hour well spent.

Yet the motion is rather self-congratulatory. Of course, ministers like to talk of the Parliament having passed world-leading climate legislation, and I am certainly proud of the role that my party played in pushing the Government to be more ambitious on the interim targets for 2030. The truth, though, is that target setting is easy. Developing detailed plans and committing necessary resources—in short, delivery—is the hard, but crucial, part.

As today’s report by the Climate Change Committee shows once again, the Scottish Government’s plans are heavy on promises but light on action. The committee criticises what it sees as a lack of detail in ministers’ plans for how Scotland’s targets are to be achieved if we are to make it to net zero by 2045. That is against the backdrop of Scotland having already missed its emissions targets again and again over recent years. In some areas, such as heat, we are going backwards.

As for the green jobs revolution that we have been promised for almost 15 years, dating back to Alex Salmond’s time as First Minister, it is a talk that has never been properly walked. Given the lack of progress made in key areas over recent years, the urgency of the climate emergency, and the importance of securing a meaningful just transition, the Government cannot continue as it has been doing, which is making bold pronouncements and then finding someone else to blame when things are not delivered.

Key to a just transition is the creation of new green jobs. As Colin Smyth rightly emphasised, we cannot afford—nor would it be right—to leave people and communities behind. However, achieving that will require plans that are both radical and credible. That is why Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see home insulation declared a national strategic priority, with a target set to have all areas of the country covered by 2030. That must be matched by budgets to meet the ambition, including a doubling of fuel poverty funding and incentives for householders to take early action. An initial five-year programme could see improvements made to 80,000 homes per year and an aim to switch 1 million homes from polluting mains gas to heat pumps by 2030. All in all, that has the potential to create an estimated 34,000 new jobs in energy efficiency.

We also want to see the expertise of those in the oil and gas sector put to good use in a just transition. The sector’s technical and engineering expertise will be vital in delivering our plans for warmer homes, new heat networks and hydrogen power. We support the development of a centre of excellence for carbon capture and efficient energy generation. We would involve the construction and renewables industries, along with utility companies, in partnership with colleges, universities and planners to ensure that every opportunity is taken to create an economy that is fit for the future.

The potential of such partnerships can already be seen in my Orkney constituency, where proposals have been put forward to redevelop Flotta terminal into one of the world’s first large-scale green hydrogen hubs. I had the pleasure of meeting some of those who are involved in the project yesterday. The potential is certainly exciting in a local, national and international context, further enhancing Orkney’s reputation as being at the forefront of renewable energy innovation.

Scotland’s targets for net zero are bold, ambitious and the right thing to do. However, we need the Government to pick up the pace and start walking its world-leading talk if we are to have any chance of making those ambitions a reality.

I am conscious of how many members still want to contribute, so I am minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 8.14.3, to extend the debate by up to half an hour. I call on Paul McLennan to move such a motion.

Motion moved,

That, under Rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended by up to 30 minutes.—[Paul McLennan]

Motion agreed to.

I can give you the time back, minister.

Thank you, and well done, Ms Duncan-Glancy.