John Howell (Henley) (Con) What recent discussions he has had with
Cabinet colleagues on the potential opportunities for Scotland
arising from COP26. Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) (Con) What
recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the
potential opportunities for Scotland arising from COP26. The
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Duguid)
I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues, as well as
industry stakeholders, on the opportunities...Request free trial
(Henley)
(Con)
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on
the potential opportunities for Scotland arising from
COP26.
(Rother Valley) (Con)
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on
the potential opportunities for Scotland arising from
COP26.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
()
I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues, as
well as industry stakeholders, on the opportunities that COP26
offers across Scotland. The COP26 devolved Administration
ministerial group brings together the COP26 President, territorial
Secretaries of State and devolved Administration Ministers to
support the delivery of an inclusive and welcoming COP26 summit
that is representative of the whole United Kingdom.
[V]
Last year, the SNP Government missed their own legal
emissions targets, with source emissions in Scotland actually
increasing by 1.5% in 2017-18. Does my hon. Friend agree that, as
we approach the crucial COP26 summit in Glasgow later this year,
the Scottish people deserve a Government who are 100% focused on a
green recovery, not on another divisive independence
referendum?
I am sure you will agree, Mr Speaker, that it is not for me
to answer for the failings of the Scottish Government. However, I
assure my hon. Friend that the UK Government are absolutely focused
on achieving a green recovery, as set out by the Prime Minister in
his 10-point plan last year. This Government are also focused on
safeguarding the Union, and I agree with my hon. Friend that a
divisive referendum on Scotland’s separation from the UK at this
time would be an irresponsible distraction from the necessary work
required towards that green recovery.
I welcome the ambitious new target that the Government set
last week to cut the UK’s carbon emissions by 78% by 2035. Does my
hon. Friend agree that in the run-up to the crucial COP26 summit
later this year, it is more important than ever for all parts of
the UK to work together so that we can meet that target and build
back better and greener from the pandemic?
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. Our proposed
world-leading target marks a decisive step towards net zero by 2050
and would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 78% by 2035, compared
with 1990 levels. Through this year’s COP26 summit, we will urge
countries and companies around the world to join us in delivering
net zero globally. We continue to work together throughout all
parts of the UK to achieve our net zero ambitions and a green
recovery from the covid-19 pandemic.
(Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)
The Minister should be embarrassed that renewables generators
in Scotland face the highest locational grid charges in the whole
of Europe. Ahead of COP26, we need to see a route to market for
pumped-storage hydro and for wave and tidal, the go-ahead given for
Acorn carbon capture and storage and a contract for difference for
hydrogen. What capability does the Scottish Office, working with
Cabinet colleagues, have to get those matters resolved?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I share his
enthusiasm for all things related to energy renewables, but he will
know as well as I do that, by law, transmission charging is a
matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. I imagine that he
will also be aware that Ofgem is currently considering some aspects
of transmission charging arrangements through its access and
forward-looking charges review.
(Lanark and
Hamilton East) (SNP) [V]
The SNP Scottish Government have committed to doubling their
climate change justice fund if re-elected next week. This £21
million fund is used to help combat the effects of climate change
in the global south while we tackle carbon emissions at home. In
the year of COP26, will the UK Government follow Scotland’s lead
and commit to a comparable climate justice fund to help those
affected by climate change?
Not only will we commit to a comparable financial commitment,
but the recent spending review committed to spending £12 billion on
green measures to support the 10-point plan and boost the UK’s
global leadership on green infrastructure and technologies, not
just ahead of COP26 this year, but beyond as well.
