Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has made no specific assessments of Scottish or global oil supplies. However, we regularly monitor world energy markets, including future estimates of oil reserves prepared by the industry, international agencies, and the UK Government, to assess future security of supply. These estimates indicate that there will be sufficient supply in both the North Sea and globally over the next few decades to enable Scotland and the rest of the world to make the transition to a low carbon energy supply.

The request does not fall within the scope of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body''s agreed policy on flag flying. The Parliament routinely flies the Saltire, Union and European Union flags on a daily basis. In addition, the Parliament flies the United Nations and Commonwealth flags on United Nations Day (24 October) and Commonwealth Day (2nd Monday in March) respectively. Outwith these dates, the Parliament will also fly the relevant country flags for a visiting head of state and, on occasions, for a visiting Prime Minister or parliamentary speaker.

On a global level, there has been considerable debate about whether peak oil has occurred. In any event, significant reserves remain in the North Sea and the Scottish oil and gas industry, which is of enormous economic importance to Scotland, will remain a vital sector of our economy for decades to come.

The Government Economic Strategy (GES) sets out how the government intends to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. While the strategy will continue to evolve as economic conditions change, the strategy identifies the Scottish oil and gas industry as one of significant economic importance to Scotland. The strategy also sets out the desired characteristics of growth - one of which is sustainability - and sets challenging emissions targets. The GES identifies the energy sector (with a particular focus on renewables) as a key sector which has an important part to play not only in contributing to Scotland''s wealth but also in developing an energy supply that is diverse and sustainable and which supports the transition to a low carbon economy.

On a global level, there has been considerable debate about whether peak oil has occurred. It is the case that significant reserves remain in the North Sea and that the Scottish oil and gas industry, which is of enormous economic importance to Scotland, will remain a vital sector of our economy for decades to come.

However, we are also clear that Scotland needs to make a transition to a low carbon economy, with an energy supply that is diverse and sustainable and which contributes to Scotland''s wealth. In transport, we are investing heavily in public transport to provide efficient alternatives to the car. We are proposing a rolling programme of electrification that will focus on the core route between Edinburgh and Glasgow (via Falkirk High) and also stretching as far as Cumbernauld, Dunblane, Stirling and Alloa. Transport Scotland is working closely with Network Rail and First ScotRail to deliver the programme of works by 2016.

We also promote and support cycling and walking through Cycling Scotland, Sustrans and local authorities. We are actively promoting and supporting Smart Measures such as eco-driving, travel planning and green-fleet reviews and we fund Energy Savings Trust and Regional Transport Partnerships to deliver this work. We have recently launched Smarter Choices Smarter Places to encourage more sustainable travel. This project will give a number of local authorities the opportunity to implement and test intensive packages of measures to increase healthy active travel and tackle transport emissions.

We also recognise the potential of new technologies to power vehicles without fossil fuels. Many show promise and we believe that a range of technologies and policies will be required to address the issues in relation to transport, such as lower emission vehicles, the potential of second generation biofuels and electric vehicles that could be powered by renewable electricity.

On a global level, there has been considerable debate about whether peak oil has occurred. It is the case that significant reserves remain in the North Sea and that the Scottish oil and gas industry, which is of enormous economic importance to Scotland, will remain a vital sector of our economy for decades to come.

However, we are also clear that Scotland needs to make a transition to a low carbon economy, with an energy supply that is diverse and sustainable and which contributes to Scotland''s wealth. We have put in place a range of initiatives aimed at helping and encouraging farmers and other land managers to improve the efficiency of their operations and make more use of renewable energy, thereby reducing their use of oil and oil-based energy and products.

Under the Scotland Rural Development Programme, grants of up to 50% are available to towards the purchase and installation of renewable energy capacity to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the business. Similar grants are available for capital projects to improve business efficiency. Grants are also available to help farmer''s access specialist advice on reducing inputs and increasing the efficiency of their operation, under the Whole Farm Review scheme.

The Scottish Government has had no specific discussions with the UK Government on the impact of peak oil. However, there is frequent contact with the UK Government on a range of energy matters. From these discussions, we are confident that global oil supplies are likely to be sufficient to meet our demand in the medium term, enabling Scotland to make the transition to a low carbon energy supply.

On a global level, there has been considerable debate about whether peak oil has occurred. It is the case that significant reserves remain in the North Sea and that the Scottish oil and gas industry, which is of enormous economic importance to Scotland, will remain a vital sector of our economy for decades to come.

However, we are also clear that Scotland needs to make a transition to a low carbon economy, with an energy supply that is diverse and sustainable and which contributes to Scotland''s wealth.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken any specific research into the impact of peak oil, however we keep a close watch on developments in world energy markets, including future oil supplies, which we believe to be secure for the medium term, enabling us to make the transition to a low carbon economy. The Scottish Government continually monitors developments which will impact upon Scotland and these impacts are picked up in our regular reporting of economic developments within the Scottish economy.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3F-751 on 8 May 2008. All answers to oral parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0508-02.htm#Col8434.

The Council of Economic Advisers discusses a wide range of issue of relevance to the Scottish economy. The minutes of the meeting can be viewed at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Council-Economic-Advisers/Meetings/2008.

On a global level, there has been considerable debate about whether peak oil has occurred. It is the case that significant reserves remain in the North Sea and that the Scottish oil and gas industry, which is of enormous economic importance to Scotland, will remain a vital sector of our economy for decades to come.

However, we are also clear that Scotland needs to make a transition to a low carbon economy, with an energy supply that is diverse and sustainable and which contributes to Scotland''s wealth. The National Planning Framework is a strategy for Scotland''s long term spatial development and the recent discussion draft sets out our ambitions for Scotland''s development over the next quarter century including our commitment to tackling climate change and the introduction of new technologies.

The draft NPF2 recognises that a growing long-term imbalance between supply and demand for oil and gas products would have profound implications for the global economy in a whole range of areas including transport and economic development. We therefore recognise the need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels over time. Such a strategy is consistent with our approach to reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 to help tackle climate change.