Question reference: S6W-03845
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 21 October 2021
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Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 22 November 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding the environmental impact of the First Minister's use of international flights, and how it offsets the CO2 emissions of such ministerial flights.
Answer
The First Minister travels for a range of reasons including ensuring that the people of Scotland are effectively represented and ensuring that Scotland’s voice is heard on important issues.
Before arranging to travel on official business, Scottish Government employees and Ministers are first required to consider if their journey is really necessary. If they conclude that they are unable to conduct their business by other means, such as video or teleconferencing, they are then required to travel in the most cost–effective and time-efficient method available.
Travel is an essential part of official government business we take our responsibility to travel sustainably very seriously and aim to use more sustainable forms of transport wherever possible.
Any business flights taken by Ministers and Scottish Government employees are subject to a carbon levy payment. Pre-Covid the levy collected approximately £40,000 per year, and is used to compensate for carbon emissions generated. For example, in August 2019 the levy was used to partially fund solar panels on the roof of St Andrews House in Edinburgh. The panels have so far saved 15 tonnes of CO2 equivalent to planting 696 trees.