Question reference: S6W-05389
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 13 January 2022
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 January 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to replace competitive funding programmes with straightforward funding for net zero projects that local authorities wish to take forward in order to meet their net zero targets.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to working with local authorities, including by funding in key areas for public sector climate action through a mix of competitive and other funding programmes. Inviting bids from local authorities enables us to identify relevant projects, and to offer access to financial and other support tolocal authorities working in these areas . Combined, our funds represent a comprehensive package of support for local authority climate action.
Some examples of our strong climate funding offer to local authorities include: non-competitive funding for investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and decarbonisation of public sector fleets to all of Scotland's local authorities, with over £65 million of funding awarded over the last decade, competitive funds like the £200 million Green Growth Accelerator programme, an outcomes-based funding model for local authorities, and our Switched on Towns and Cities Programme, which has awarded over £14 million of funding to five projects (/local authorities) to support decarbonisation of transport.
We strongly support the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s ongoing Inquiry into the Role of Local Government and its Cross-Sectoral Partners in Financing and Delivering a Net- Zero Scotland. The findings of the inquiry will be a valuable contribution to how we can further develop our relationship with and support towards local governments.