Chamber and committees

In the 2021-22 Programme for Government and as part of the Bute House Agreement, the Scottish Government committed to undertake an in-depth analysis to better understand our energy requirements as we transition to net zero. Following a procurement process, EY was appointed as independent contractor to carry out this work and an independent panel provided challenge and scrutiny. Independent Panel members have globally recognised expertise across the oil & gas industry, climate science, the energy sector and Scotland’s economy. They are Laura Cozzi: Chief Energy Modeller, International Energy Agency; Professor Gabi Hegerl: Chair - Climate System Science, University of Edinburgh; Professor Paul de Leeuw: Director of the Energy Transition Institute, Robert Gordon University and Professor Mairi Spowage: Professor of Practice and Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute. Whilst they provided feedback on the outputs and reports throughout their preparation, the panel has remained entirely objective and the report in no way represents the views of the respective panel members themselves, or of their institutions.

Work is now complete and the analysis, which includes a detailed assessment of oil and gas production in Scotland; a study of energy demand; and assessment of the just transition implications of the energy transition has been published on the Scottish Government website today. This work is a significant contribution to the evidence base for future policy making and we are therefore extending the consultation on the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan by five weeks, to 9 May, to allow stakeholders sufficient time to engage with this material.