Chamber and committees

I think that the committee and the public want to get an idea soon of what we are aiming towards, so that we know that the legislation will be fit for purpose and will meet its aims. However, I will leave the issue of targets for now.

It would be good to get a bit more of the flavour of some of the carrots and sticks that will be used to encourage people and organisations to reuse.

You and I met in June to discuss the particular challenge of nappy waste and single-use nappies. We know that hundreds of thousands of single-use nappies end up in landfill every day. Some local councils have really good schemes. North Ayrshire Council is the example that I left the minister with. The real nappy initiative is free for citizens to use and I believe that there is now a waiting list. It is good to hear that there is demand for that. What investigation has taken place? I know that you were going to discuss the issue with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

Can we expect such schemes to be supported and mainstreamed? People want to do the right thing, but they need a little support and guidance. There is good practice in small pockets of the country but it is not being mainstreamed. What can the bill, your strategy or your route map do about that?

I am conscious of the time, convener, and I know that you want me to wrap up.

I heard what the minister said about other examples. I am sure that COSLA colleagues will be listening. Does the Government believe that it is important to have the power to fine councils in the bill? I think that Janet McVea wants to come in, but I will go back to the minister first.

Sorry to interrupt, but did you say that the bill says that the Government must “have regard to” that?

That is helpful.

From your explanation, minister, I understand why you are being cautious. However, given what we have heard in the evidence that we have taken, are you considering any amendments to address any of the points that have been made?

The 2020 Scottish environment strategy vision included a commitment to

“gather evidence on the nature of Scotland’s international environmental impact.”

We had an evidence session last week that covered some of that. We have heard from stakeholders who have highlighted the global impact of Scottish consumption on the environment and human rights. There have been suggestions that the bill could be used to increase our understanding of our impacts beyond consumption emissions.

What is your response to that, minister?

I assume that you have already looked at international good practice.

Thank you for that—that is helpful.

Our session last week, which included our hearing the perspective from Wales, was interesting. We also heard from the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund. I want to raise with you some of SCIAF’s suggestions for amending the bill: they might not be things that you want to put in the bill, but I am keen to get your views on three recommendations that it makes.

The first suggestion is that we amend the consultation on strategy to include a mandatory requirement to include international stakeholders. The second is that we amend the circular economy strategy to gather evidence of the environmental and human rights implications of our consumption—the data point that Janet McVea touched on. The third is that we amend the strategy to add an objective for ensuring, in the Scottish context, the highest-possible standards for human rights, due diligence, environmental protection, supply chains and public procurement. I might come back to procurement. Would those amendments be helpful? Are you open minded on consideration not just of SCIAF’s suggestions, but of other suggestions of that nature?

Good morning. We have heard from stakeholders who are calling for the framework for the circular economy strategy to more closely mirror climate legislation for the climate change plan, with sector-level plans, embedding just transition principles, mainstreaming across Government departments and linking legal targets explicitly to the strategy. What is your view on that? Did you give consideration to more closely mirroring climate legislation in designing the bill?

That is great.

Lastly, we have talked about the environmental imperative driving the bill and the economic opportunities. The issue of public procurement comes up in many bills—not just this one. Some people have been asking what the expectations are on the public sector, including on local government, and what the opportunities are in terms of public procurement. Is that something that you can elaborate on?

Now that the European Union has decided to criminalise offences comparable to ecocide, will the Scottish Government take the opportunity at COP28 to meet Governments and campaigners who are advancing ecocide law, in the light of the Scottish Government’s commitment to maintain alignment with the EU on environmental protection?