Chamber and committees

We published our Rationale for Woodland Expansion early in 2009. It reaffirmed the Scottish Forestry Strategy''s vision for a 650,000 hectares increase in Scotland''s woodland area by the second half of the century. Our Climate Change Delivery Plan has subsequently recommended planting 10,000 hectares per year (to contribute to a 34% reduction in green-house gas emissions) or 15,000 hectares per year (for a 42% reduction). As regards tree numbers for planting, I indicated in the answer to questions S3W-32887 and S3W-32888 on 28 April 2010, that an average of 2,000 trees per hectare is a reasonable estimate. The geographic distribution of the new woodland will depend on ensuring that the right trees are planted in the right places; this is guided by consultation procedures and indicative forestry strategies (which in future are likely to be informed by the Land Use Strategy).

Forecasts of felling are generally presented in terms of volume (cubic metres) rather than in terms of area or number of trees. However, based on these forecast volumes, we estimate that the felled area could rise to about 20,000 hectares per annum during the course of the next five years. Nearly all these areas will be restocked in accordance with approved forest management plans. The number of trees felled will depend upon the average tree size, which is itself dependent on a wide range of factors.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

We published our Rationale for Woodland Expansion early in 2009. It reaffirmed the Scottish Forestry Strategy''s vision for a 650,000 hectares increase in Scotland''s woodland area by the second half of the century. Our Climate Change Delivery Plan has subsequently recommended planting 10,000 hectares per year (to contribute to a 34% reduction in green-house gas emissions) or 15,000 hectares per year (for a 42% reduction). As regards tree numbers for planting, I indicated in the answers to questions S3W-32887 and S3W-32888 on 28 April 2009, that an average of 2,000 trees per hectare is a reasonable estimate. The geographic distribution of the new woodland will depend on ensuring that the right trees are planted in the right places; this is guided by consultation procedures and indicative forestry strategies (which in future are likely to be informed by the Land Use Strategy).

Forecasts of felling are generally presented in terms of volume (cubic metres) rather than in terms of area or number of trees. However, based on these forecast volumes, we estimate that the felled area could rise to about 20,000 hectares per annum during the course of the next five years. Nearly all these areas will be restocked in accordance with approved forest management plans. The number of trees felled will depend upon the average tree size, which is itself dependent on a wide range of factors.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Our Climate Challenge Fund has provided support for communities wishing to take action to reduce their carbon emissions, including funding for feasibility studies such as this. Unfortunately the funding for the 2008-11 Climate Challenge Fund has all been allocated.

Although we have no plans for direct funding into electric vehicle feasibility studies my officials can provide information on opportunities for access to other sources of funding.

The UK-wide Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Programme is seeking further bids by 30 July 2010, and a bid from an island community might be welcomed. This programme can provide 50% of the cost of electric recharging points, and might provide a way of taking forward a pilot scheme in Orkney.

Emissions from transport can be expected to decrease significantly but only in the medium-term. Our Climate Change Delivery Plan, published in June 2009, includes the Transformational Outcome of almost complete decarbonisation of road transport by 2050, with significant progress by 2030, through wholesale adoption of electric cars and vans. Delivery of the Transformational Outcome is essential to achievement of the emissions reduction targets in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Committee on Climate Change modelling suggests that uptake rates for new vehicle technology required to meet a 42% emissions reduction by 2020 would be as follows: only 3% of new cars using conventional or advanced petrol and diesel engines, around 75% using stop-start, micro hybrid or hybrid engines, and over 20% plug-in hybrid or fully electric.

Our detailed proposals and policies will be published later this year.

We set out our intention to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles in our Climate Change Delivery Plan, published in June 2009. The delivery plan also recognises that electric vehicle charging infrastructure will need to be planned and developed to support the Transformational Outcome of almost complete decarbonisation of road transport by 2050.

We are working with the Department for Transport''s Office for Low Emission Vehicles to ensure that Scotland benefits from the support that they are offering, and we are currently considering whether additional Scottish-specific support is required.

Our consultation on low carbon vehicles sought views on how the uptake of low carbon vehicles could best be accelerated, and the analysis of responses was published in March 2010.

We set out our intention to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles in our Climate Change Delivery Plan, published in June 2009. This includes the Transformational Outcome of almost complete decarbonisation of road transport by 2050, with significant progress by 2030, through wholesale adoption of electric cars and vans. This is essential if we are to meet the statutory emission reduction targets set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. The delivery plan also highlights that an electric charging infrastructure to support the use of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles across Scotland will need to be planned and developed.

Our forward proposals will take account of our analysis of the responses to our consultation on low carbon vehicles, published in March 2010. In addition, while many of the policy levers to reduce transport emissions rest with the EU and UK Government, we will also use the devolved powers at our disposal to support the adoption of electric cars and other low carbon vehicles.

Yes. The Scottish Government recognises that the early market for electric vehicles needs to be supported with the necessary infrastructure, and my officials are bringing this opportunity to the attention of Scottish consortia that might wish to bid.

The first research and development grants to marine projects and developers were awarded in February 2007, under the Wave and Tidal Energy Scheme (WATES). Payments under the scheme have been as follows (based on financial years):

2007-08:	£1,204,355
2008-09:	£573,752
2009-10:	£888,462
Total:	£2,666,569

 

In addition to this, the Scottish Government has also released over £2.5 million during the last two years to help develop the infrastructure needed to accommodate WATES projects located at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.

As things stand, we expect to pay a further £4.8 million during 2010-11 in support of the remaining WATES projects.

We will also be transferring to Scottish Enterprise the funds which will deliver our £12 million Wave and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support fund (WATERS). Grants from this fund in response to the current call for applications will be announced by the end of June.

Scottish Enterprise will lead on the management and administration of the WATERS fund, working closely with the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.