Chamber and committees

This Government wantsScotland to show leadership in facing up to the globalthreat posed by climate change. We plan to publish a consultation before the endof the year on a Scottish Climate Change Bill with proposals to set a mandatorytarget to achieve an 80% reduction in Scottish emissions by 2050.

We are holding detailedand inclusive discussions with stakeholders on renewable energy in the round, includingthe importance of targets and the creation of a route map for a successful, renewableScotland. I will make further announcements in duecourse.

There are currentlyno plans to develop a specific energy policy and targets for the railway systemfollowing the publication of Scotland’s Railways. The Scottish government will continue to exploreopportunities for its transport policy to contribute to the aims of Scotland’s Climate Change Programme Changing Our Ways andthe National Transport Strategy. Its investment in the railways will seekto maximize the opportunities that rail provides by encouraging modal shift awayfrom the private car and air travel where possible. Other measures will include investigating the use of more efficient rolling stock for both passengerand freight services and the increased electrification of the Scottish rail network.

Transport Scotlandis also part of the GB-wide cross-industry “Rail Sustainable Development Group”which is working on a 30 year sustainable transport policy and identifying waysof reducing environmental impacts by increasing efficiency, reducing waste, andidentifying technological improvements.

The Eyemouth and Berwickshirecoast area has not been excluded from the fisheries dependent areas to be identifiedunder the Operational Programme for the European Fisheries Fund (EFF).

The criteria for selectingfisheries dependent areas have yet to be agreed and will form part of the full publicconsultation on Scotland’s Operational Programme.

For the period 2006-07the following local authorities have applied for and been granted financial supportfor flood prevention schemes;

Argyll and Bute Council

Dumfries and Galloway Council

City of EdinburghCouncil

East Ayrshire Council

East DunbartonshireCouncil

Fife Council

City of Glasgow Council

Moray Council

Perth and KinrossCouncil

South LanarkshireCouncil

West Lothian Council.

The government believesthat Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)6 – Renewable Energy provides a sound nationalpolicy context for addressing onshore wind development. We want to see the SPP’sprovisions taken forward urgently, with local authorities engaging with communitiesand other parties in the preparation of locational strategies in the form of supplementaryplanning guidance. These localframeworks should provide greater certainty for developers and local communitiesand speed up the decision making process. We see this approach as striking the rightbalance between national and local responsibilities.

It is likely thatauthorities will have to review and update their existing policy and we believethere is also scope for authorities to work collaboratively. To assist the authoritiesat a time when they are addressing the challenges of delivering a modernised planningsystem, we shall make available a source of expert advice and issue national guidanceon the preparation of the supplementary planning guidance. The chief planner will therefore be writingto planning authorities in the near future.

SPP6 statesin its opening paragraphs the energy policy target of 40% of electricity generatedfrom renewable sources by 2020 and notes that this is not a cap. This governmenthas ambitions for a balanced approach to renewable energy encompassing a range ofmeasures which extend beyond that. The SPP6 provides for a planned approach to deliveringthe target through setting the overall policy for preparing spatial frameworks,including the safeguarding of areas designated for their national and internationalnatural heritage value and greenbelts. It gives a clear role to local authoritiesand national park authorities in relation to local interests and designated areas,in the identification of broad areas of search and in setting policy criteria whichaccord with the SPP.

The Scottish EnterpriseEnergy Team have previously provided joint funding for a feasibility study examiningthe use of clean coal technology at Longannet Power Station. They have also supportedwork with Heriot-Watt University and the Department of Trade and Industry to investigateopportunities for Underground Coal Gasification.

At present the teamis supporting activities related to carbon sequestration through a CO₂Consortium with the University of Edinburgh and others. They also work closely with the industry and have supporteda number of events to promote the case for clean coal.

The Scottish Governmenthas no such plans.

Powers exist in theTransport (Scotland) Act 2001 for local authorities to come forwardwith proposals for variable charging systems on local roads. There are no proposalsin Scotland at present.

Transport Scotland is examining the feasibility of introducing demand managementmeasures on congested sections of the Central Scotland motorwayand trunk road network, working with local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships.

A study examiningthe effects of increased amount of renewable power generation on the Scottish gridis well underway. We will publish the results of that study before the end of thisyear. We will continue to press for grid policies and charges which are fair andwhich support rather than work against environmental objectives and the First Ministerexpects to meet OFGEM shortly about that.

The eligibility criteriafor the Blue Badge scheme was widened in April 2007. Department for Transport arecurrently carrying out a three month review of the scheme which will assist in acomprehensive Blue Badge Reform Strategy by April 2008 and the government will haveinput into both the review and reform strategy.