United Kingdom Climate Change Committee Reports

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 7 December 2022.

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Photo of Michael Matheson Michael Matheson Scottish National Party

The member might want to reflect on the comments that I have made. In my comments about the CCC’s assessment of the UK Government, I was not blaming the UK Government; I was pointing out that the CCC issued a similarly critical report about the lack of detail in the UK Government’s strategy. That reflects the approach that the CCC has taken in pushing Governments to be much clearer about the delivery work that they are taking forward to meet their statutory targets. I have given a commitment to do exactly that, and that work has already started and is being taken forward.

The member specifically referenced decarbonisation of domestic premises. A number of factors are important in that regard. One is the decarbonisation of our natural gas system, and, given that the UK Government controls that system, it is as yet unclear when that will happen. [

Interruption

.] No, that is an important issue, and we are keen to resolve it with the UK Government so that we have clarity. That will inform the investment that we make in supporting the decarbonisation of people’s domestic heating systems, so we need to have that alignment.

As the member will recognise, one of the report’s key recommendations is the need for greater co-operation between the UK and Scottish Governments. We have been asking for clarity on the issue so that we can ensure that the £1.8 billion that we are investing in this parliamentary session in decarbonising domestic premises—a record investment—is used in the most efficient and effective way. That is why we need clarity on when we will switch to a decarbonised natural gas energy system. That type of approach will allow us to make the right informed decisions, so that we can make the progress that we—and, I am sure, the member—want to make in reducing our overall greenhouse gas emissions.