Chamber and committees

The woodland carbon market is making an important contribution towards our Net Zero targets. Scottish Forestry manages the Woodland Carbon Code which is a UK-wide carbon standard and underpins integrity in the woodland carbon market. The number of validated carbon credits from creating new woodlands in Scotland under the Woodland Carbon Code has risen by over 60% since March 2020. There has been a similar increase across the UK. These figures show that the 50% target has already been met. At the end of September 2022, 6.3 million validated credits had been generated across 249 woodland creation projects in Scotland. This means that these projects are predicted to sequester at least 6.3 million tonnes of CO2 over their lifetimes.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The Scottish Government believes that the best way to reduce drug-related crime and drug-related death is to get people into appropriate treatment and support services at every point of the criminal justice system.

The majority of single possession of drug cases reported in Scotland are dealt with by way of an alternative to prosecution that do not result in a criminal conviction and may include a fine, a warning, or where appropriate, a diversion from prosecution.

The Scottish Government only holds information on an annual basis from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2021. Information for 2021-22 will not be available until publication of the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2021-22 Statistical Bulletin which is due to be published in 2023.

In spring 2021, Zero Waste Scotland ran a campaign, Batteries Are Better Recycled, encouraging the public to recycle batteries, and how to do it correctly.

The campaign was delivered through local and national media, videos and digital, alongside proactive engagement with local authorities across Scotland. Since the campaign, ZWS continue to share key campaign messages and assets through their channels.

I would also note that the Environmental Services Association relaunched its national ‘Take Charge’ campaign in October 2022, with the aim of urging everyone to recycle batteries and electronic devices responsibly.

Five local authorities (Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, East Lothian, East Ayrshire & Falkirk) currently provide kerbside household collection of portable batteries.

All 32 local authorities accept portable and lead-acid batteries (car batteries) through their Household Waste and Recycling Centres. In addition, many also have portable battery collection points in libraries and/or leisure centres.

Paragraph 9.15 of the Family Justice Modernisation Strategy (link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/family-justice-modernisation-strategy/pages/11/ ) outlines the work that will be undertaken to consider if changes are needed to the Child Abduction Act 1984. We have now started this work and are currently seeking views from key stakeholders. I am happy to receive any comments from the Member about whether or not changes should be made to the 1984 Act.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The information requested is available as a snapshot as at September 2022. This information has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre under Bib No. 63901.

Consideration was given to the need for consultation in line with section 3CA, part (5), however, further consultation was not required because the changes respond to views received whilst remaining consistent with the original proposals and intent of the earlier draft NPF4.

In relation to Policy 27 (d), the changes represent a strengthening of the policy consulted on in Draft NPF4, not a late inclusion. In the Draft NPF4 (Policy 26(a)), we consulted on restricting drive-throughs in out of town locations and, in response to what consultees told us and through our broader strategy of transitioning to net zero, the policy has been restructured in the Revised Draft version of NPF4. This strengthened policy gives greater focus for local development plans to identify when this type of development might be appropriate. We continue to engage with industry and other stakeholders and interests to raise awareness and provide assurance on all aspects of NPF4.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, NPF4 will be adopted by Ministers in early 2023. Regulations and guidance on local development plans will be introduced to support delivery and the Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group will be established to oversee and advise on the delivery of the spatial strategy, national developments and national planning policy.

Information on legislation to enable amendments to be made to NPF4, and to set the process for making amendments, will be published in due course.