Electricity generation capacity in Scotland is currently around 16 GW, 12 GW (75%) of which is renewable power. The Scottish electricity system is considered secure, meaning it has enough secure supply capacity to meet peak demand.

The recent energy price crisis, which saw record electricity and gas prices in the UK, was predominately a result of tight gas supplies across the UK and EU. However, we are aware that low levels of electricity generation from renewables (20% reduction compared to the same period last year) contributed to the extent of the crisis as it increased the reliance on gas for power generation.

The Scottish Government believes that onshore wind has a significant role to play in both our future energy mix, and in our net zero ambitions and has launched a consultation on a draft Onshore Wind Policy Statement. This consultation will run until 21 October 2021 and can be accessed at https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781802014990.

The Pig Producers Hardship Support Scheme was set up to compensate pig producers who were paid £15 less per pig by Quality Pork Processors at Brechin, between 8 February and 31 March 2021. It opened for applications on 30 August and closed on 26 September, and eligible applicants will now have received their payments. We will not be extending the Scheme at this time.

Following the announcement from Defra on a Private Storage Aid scheme and positive ongoing discussions with our pig industry we are putting in place our own Private Storage Aid scheme in Scotland to further aid the industry. This will help to alleviate the backlog of pigs on farms, and reduce any potential welfare issues. In addition the levy bodies in Scotland and England are providing the pig sector with a levy holiday for the whole of November.

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads with the local road authorities, including parking on local roads. In addition, Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic. As such this is not an issue where the Scottish Government would become involved.

However, Glasgow City Council will enforce car-exclusion zones around schools by way of Traffic Regulation Order which will prohibit any motor vehicle without a permit of valid exemption from using the School Streets zone whilst the scheme is in operation.

Further information on this can be found at the following link;

Spaces for People: Expansion of School Car Free Zones - Glasgow City Council

The Scottish Government has been engaging with Glasgow based businesses, both in terms of logistics and how they can get involved in COP.

In terms of logistics, we have communicated relevant travel information to our stakeholders through a variety of channels. This includes: 7 webinars to almost 40 organisations, 5 directed 1-2-1 sessions on business support for large businesses, 4 newsletters to almost 400 recipients, as well as a Scottish Government run travel campaign aimed at businesses, residents and commuters to and throughout Glasgow, to raise awareness of the changes to travel arrangements. Scottish Enterprise have also been working closely with Glasgow City Council relating to planning of COP26 events in Glasgow. With Glasgow City Council engaging extensively with businesses in Glasgow, particularly those impacted near venues, from large employers in the area to small 3 rd sector organisations.

Glasgow businesses are speaking at, and attending the Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone COP26 programme of events and a number of Glasgow based businesses are booked into a virtual exhibition stand as part of the wider programme of activity around this. Additionally, we are supporting Glasgow Chamber of Commerce’s Climate Chamber Mission and wider COP26 programme.

The Scottish Government believes that hosting COP26 will offer important economic opportunities for both Glasgow and Scotland, particularly for Glasgow’s accommodation and hospitality sectors. COP26 also offers potential additional trade and investment opportunities. Scotland has the ideal mix of political, regulatory and commercial factors that will allow investors, entrepreneurs and corporates to start and expand their activities that will help the world meet its climate change targets. We will be using COP26 to accelerate our work on delivering our commitment to Net Zero, as set out in Scotland’s Vision for Trade. Net Zero is at the heart of our global capital investment plan, Investing with Purpose, and our inward investment plan, Shaping Scotland's Economy.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken a separate study of the economic impact of COP26 to date. We are engaging closely with the assessment of the economic benefits of COP26 commissioned by the UK Government, along with Glasgow City Council. This will consider the economic impacts of COP26 to Glasgow, Scotland and the UK.

The Scottish Government will be monitoring the success of our COP26 activities. This includes an evaluation of our programme of over 60 in-person or hybrid events comprising Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone at the Lighthouse in Glasgow. This two week programme will showcase the opportunities for future business and investment presented by our commitment to delivering a just transition to a net zero economy in Scotland, and will be the start of longer term engagement with business on this issue.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport, together with its partner South Ayrshire Council, signed a memorandum of understanding with Astraius to enable horizontal space launch activity from the planned Prestwick Spaceport.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is operated on a commercial basis and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government, in compliance with our obligations under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the UK and the EU. Ministers do not intervene in the commercial discussions at the airport.

It is for the airport’s management team to consider all potential business opportunities to maximise the use of the assets of the airport and build on the progress which has already been made.

COP26 presents a unique opportunity to empower and support individuals across Scotland to take collective action towards our net zero target.

In Glasgow, we have awarded £18,000 to support the COP26 Pop Up Climate Café Programme. Our funding will enable Climate Café and Climate Reality to host 18-22 events from 1 to 12 November. These will create informal and welcoming spaces in communities, workplaces and campuses to talk and act on climate. To extend the reach of the cafés, some events will be held virtually.

We have also provided up to £198,000 to Keep Scotland Beautiful to deliver the Scotland’s Climate Festival initiative, which Glasgow communities can apply to. This initiative will support communities across the country to plan and deliver their own local climate festivals. Between 35-40 festivals will be held, as well as a number of virtual online events, launching during COP26 and running to March 2022.

Furthermore, we have allocated almost £950,000 to support children and young people to engage at COP26. This includes funding events and initiatives that will be open to children and young people within Glasgow.

To enable greater access, we have provided around £8,000 funding for a digital platform which will allow the live-streaming of all Scottish Government events at Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone and at Atlantic Quay. In addition, our fully-funded climate change website – Net Zero Nation – will be open to the general public enabling them to access live-streams of Blue Zone and other online events.

Over the last Parliamentary term, over 6,000 affordable homes were delivered in rural and island areas across Scotland through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP). Between 1 April 2016 and latest published statistics to the end of June 2021, there has been a total of 100 affordable homes delivered through the Rural and Islands Housing Fund (RIHF), which forms part of the wider AHSP.

The fund is demand led and is open to a wide range of potential applicants, including those not able to access traditional funding streams such as community bodies, rural landowners, landlords and private developers. It complements existing investment in affordable housing directed through Registered Social Landlords and Local Authorities, filling gaps in provision.

The following table shows affordable homes delivered through the Rural and Islands Housing Fund in rural and island communities by local authority area.

Affordable homes delivered through the Rural and Islands Housing Fund by Local Authority

The Scottish Government recognises that COP26 is not an end in itself. It is a unique opportunity for meaningful engagement with people, communities, and businesses in Scotland and beyond, with the potential for a powerful lasting legacy.

In collaboration with Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government has created Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone at the Lighthouse in Glasgow. Through a programme of over 60 in-person or hybrid events over the two weeks of COP26, this will showcase the opportunities for future business and investment that are presented by our commitment to delivering a just transition to a net zero economy in Scotland. Net Zero is at the heart of our global capital investment plan, ‘Investing with Purpose’, and our inward investment plan, ‘Shaping Scotland's Economy’. By grasping this opportunity to demonstrate Scotland’s strengths and the economic opportunity presented by a just transition, we will further invigorate the transformation of our economy to address the global climate emergency.

The Scottish Government is also committed to a summit that engages people and communities. We are supporting a range of events to engage the public before, during, and after the conference. This includes a series of pop-up ‘Climate Cafés’ across Glasgow over the two weeks of the conference, which will provide informal spaces for people in Glasgow to get together to learn about climate change and be inspired to act. We also want to ensure a long-term legacy for children and young people. The COP26 Youth Climate Programme includes a range of online and in-person activities that will provide opportunities for children and young people to learn and develop networks and skills. This will deliver a strong positive legacy, enabling younger generations to build on the summit and develop an ongoing dialogue with children and young people across Scotland and internationally, so that they are involved in Scotland’s climate discussions in the longer term.

In addition to delivering a legacy for Scotland, the Scottish Government is committed to supporting the delivery of a global legacy from COP26 by contributing to securing an ambitious and deliverable international deal. The Scottish Government will do everything it can to support the negotiations. One of Scotland’s key objectives during the summit itself is to build a bridge between the UN member states in the negotiating room and the governments of cities, regions and devolved nations like ours. As European Co-Chair of the Under2 Coalition, the Scottish Government will use its platform to encourage devolved, regional and state governments to agree ambitious climate action and push national governments to go further and faster. A successful COP26 deal will give Glasgow lasting legacy as a city that helped power the planet towards net zero.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that co-operative business models play in our economy and there is a significant and increasing interest in co-operative business models in Scotland.

Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS) is the arm of Scottish Enterprise working in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise to support company growth through collaborative, co-operative and employee ownership business models. CDS raises awareness of the value of co-operative and employee ownership models, and provides specialist advice. Its services are integrated to those of Scottish Enterprise (SE), Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway.

Scotland for EO is the industry leadership group for employee owned businesses in Scotland, established in 2018 to empower the employee owned sector to direct its own development. Led by industry working in partnership with the public sector, the group champions employee ownership in Scotland and drives industry-wide collaboration and alignment.

Co-operative business models including Trusts, Partnerships and Community Interest Companies have all been eligible for the Covid-19 financial support made available to support businesses impacted by restrictions, including the Strategic Framework Business Fund, Sector Top up Funds and the Business Restart Grant.