In 2021, we published an updated Climate Change Plan which covers the period 2018 – 2032. The updated plan includes over 200 policies across all eight sectors and proposals to drive future emissions reductions.

Since publication of the update to the Climate Change Plan, progress has been delivered at speed to drive forward the various strategies, plans, roadmaps and routemaps that support delivery. I have highlighted some of this progress as follows:

(a) The draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan was published for consultation on 10 January 2023, setting out our vision for a future net zero energy system. The consultation closed in May 2023 with over 1500 responses and on 28 September we published an independent consultation analysis.

(b) We have just completed two consultations, one on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill and one on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard.

(c) We have committed to producing a Route map to achieve a 20% reduction in car km by 2030 against a 2019 baseline. The Draft route map was published in January 2022 followed by post publication public consultation to April 2022. A finalised route map and analysis of the public consultation is due for publication in the coming months.

(d) The Scottish Government is combining current research with revised funding strategies to develop and enhance the route map for industrial decarbonisation. This will include elements of energy efficiency, energy switching and carbon capture and utilisation for residual emissions. The final route map will form part of the next Climate Change Plan.

(e) In January 2024 we published our draft Circular Economy and Waste Route Map for consultation, setting out clear actions to deliver sustainable use of our resources and progress a circular economy in Scotland by 2030. This includes measures to decarbonise the resources and waste sector, and embed circular practices in the construction sector. We intend to review the feedback from the consultation and confirm the final Route Map later in 2024.

(f) A new (5th) edition of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS), agreed by all four countries, was published last year following a comprehensive review process. The new edition aims to make forests more resilient to a changing climate and the increased risk of pests and diseases so they can continue to deliver multiple benefits.

(g) The Agricultural Reform Route Map was published in February 2023 and updated on 23 June 2023. The Route Map outlines what information and guidance the sector can expect from 2023-2025 and when it will be available. A phased transition will take place from 2025 to implement the Future Support Framework’s proposed conditional payments under 4 tiers: Base, Enhanced, Elective, and Complementary.

(h) The Scottish Government commissioned a feasibility study on negative emissions technologies which was published on 30 November 2023. The deployment of NETs is dependent on CCUS, and while there is an understanding of next steps for growing the NETs industry in Scotland, a route map will be finalised once there is certainty from the UK Government on funding for Acorn.

In question S6W-25597 part of the question asked:

To ask the Scottish Government…. What proportion of [CAMHS] patients have started treatment within 10 weeks of referral…. In each NHS Board for the last three years

Data on patients starting treatment is divided into wait bands. These are divided into 4-wait bands of 0-18 weeks, 19-35 weeks, 36-52 weeks and 53 weeks plus. Information on patients starting treatment within 10 weeks is therefore not recorded and as such, is not available. This is why the answer to question S6W-25597 indicated that it was not possible to provide this information.

However the statistic that 1 in 2 people referred to CAMHS start treatment in 10 weeks, is determined using a separate data point. This states that the median treatment time (ie the point at which half of patients begin treatment) for quarter ending September 2023 is 10 weeks. This data is published quarterly and monthly and changes frequently, as such the answer to S6W-25597 cannot be derived using this data point.

As indicated in the previous answer, this information is compiled and held by Public Health Scotland and as such they may hold further data which may be able to help given the technical nature of your query.

Eligible individuals may qualify for legal aid to help cover the costs associated with legal representation and court fees involved in renewing a guardianship order. Legal aid is means-tested, and eligibility criteria apply.

Organisations such as Citizens Advice Scotland and the Scottish Legal Aid Board provide financial assistance and support services to individuals and families facing financial difficulties in legal matters, including guardianship renewals.

Local authorities may provide guidance to individuals who are unable to afford the costs of renewing a guardianship order. Social work departments or welfare services within the local authority can offer support and advice on available resources.

Under Section 57(2) of the Adults with Incapacity (AWI) (Scotland) Act 2000, if a guardianship order (or renewal) is deemed necessary by the local authority and no application has been made or is anticipated, the authority must initiate the application process.

The National Public Energy Agency – Heat and Energy Efficiency Scotland (HEES) – has been operating in virtual form in-house within the Directorate for Energy and Climate Change since October 2022. The resources allocated to the Agency are integrated into the overall Heat in Buildings (HiBs) revenue allocation, amounting to £40.1 million for 2023-24 and £37.8 million for 2024-25. This includes managing and overseeing the operation of our delivery schemes, which provide advice and financial support for households and non-domestic property owners as well as capital and pre-capital funding for heat networks, social housing, and public and private sector buildings.

The virtual agency continues to build its presence and develop its role in leading and co-ordinating project development and delivery. For example, the virtual agency’s Heat Network Support Unit (HNSU) offers a suite of services, including feasibility and business case development support. We recently announced the expansion of the HNSU's role to assist Local Authorities in executing their local heat and energy efficiency strategies (LHEES) heat network related actions and developing strategic approaches for district heating development.

The virtual agency is developing a programme of public awareness, education, and participation around clean heat and energy efficiency, as set out in our Public Engagement Strategy . This will build on our past successful marketing and engagement activity.

We continue to consider next steps with regards the creation of a new, standalone body and will provide a detailed update to the NZET Committee in due course.

The number of applications for renewal of guardianship orders for the years requested (statistics from the Office of the Public Guardian) are in the following table:

Boards are being commissioned to produce updated trajectories for 2024-25 and these are expected to be submitted throughout April and May.

In the most recent data published on 5 March 2024, covering the quarter ending December 2023, Tayside had zero patients waiting over 52 weeks to start treatment in CAMHS and a total of 5 patients waiting over 18 weeks to start treatment, which accounts for 3.2% of the total waiting list (156).

Hydrogen has been identified by various organisations, including the UK Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), as a key potential means of powering low/ zero emission flight. Ministers recently provided written support for a flagship liquid hydrogen project, ‘TARGET H2’, funded by the ATI and UK Research and Innovation. The Scottish Government also awarded £150,000 from the Hydrogen Innovation Scheme for a study to test the feasibility of a hydrogen production storage and distribution hub at Glasgow Airport.

Scottish Enterprise has engaged with companies involved in hydrogen-powered aircraft and commissioned a report on Hydrogen demand for Transport, which included liquid hydrogen use in aviation.

The Scottish Government will soon publish its Aviation Statement, which will outline actions on various topics including decarbonisation.

It would not be appropriate for us to rank the National Planning Framework 4 Spatial Principles in order of priority. NPF4 comprises a package of policies and an integrated strategy to bring together cross-cutting priorities and achieve sustainable development. NPF4 should be read as a whole and is part of the statutory development plan. The application of all Spatial Principles will collectively support the delivery of sustainable, liveable and productive places. The Spatial Principles should be reflected within local development plans and will be taken forward in different ways across Scotland, reflecting the diverse character, assets and challenges of our places.

The Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring that all buildings in Scotland move to clean heating by 2045. We are currently analysing the responses to our consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, which would prohibit the use of polluting heating systems in Scotland’s private homes and other buildings by 2045, and our consultation on proposals for a similar standard for social housing.

There has been significant progress on proposals for work on the spacing of cavity barriers behind the cladding, since NHS Lothian was recommended to reduce the spacing with cavity barriers from 20 metre intervals to 10 metre intervals. The following is a summary the progress to date:

1. The works required the submission to and approval from City of Edinburgh Council’s Building Control Department. The application was submitted in April 2023 and approved in October 2023.

2. Following approval from Building Control, NHS Lothian and IHSL, the consortium that built and owns the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, have been in discussion about commercial terms for the works to be undertaken.

3. Further detail on the frequency and duration of works was provided by IHSL in February 2024. It is anticipated that, including pre-construction activities, the works will take in excess of one year to complete. An agreed start date will be finalised once commercial terms have been completed.