Gillian Martin
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Mark Ruskell: I hear what the cabinet secretary says about her engagement with industry, but it is communities that are facing a deluge of applications for data centres. There are people here today from Fife and across Scotland who are raising their concerns. Answers are needed, cabinet secretary.”
“The Scottish Government has not undertaken a wholly national assessment of the remit that the member specifically outlines on data centres. However, we are currently engaging with industry and partner agencies to better understand the cumulative impacts of data centre developments on the environment.”
“The Scottish Government’s wildfires strategic action plan sets out a partnership approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires.”
“Although the Scottish Government is not currently undertaking a formal national assessment, we are working with partners to assess the impact of AI data centres and to look at whether current planning conditions are appropriate.”
“David Green: The response from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and local land management to the severe wildfires that were experienced in the Highlands last year was exceptional, and I put on record my thanks to them.”
“Following on from the good work that was done on the wildfires strategy in the previous parliamentary session by Jim Fairlie and by Siobhian Brown, the former Minister for Victims and Community Safety, a great deal of work is being done on prevention.”
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“Gillian Martin: Following the passing of the 2026 act in the previous parliamentary session, all aspects of the act are being progressed by Mr Fairlie and me. First, I put on record my thanks, as David Green did, to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. It worked in partnership with farmers, landowners and people in the communities. For example, people who have expertise in muirburn were key to managing some of those fires. Since the launch of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s wildfires strategy, £1.6 million has been invested in operational equipment, so there has been an increase in resource. With regard to muirburn, NatureScot has worked through the muirburn code working group to develop the revised code, some of which went through via the 2026 act.”
“David Green: The response from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and local land management to the severe wildfires that were experienced in the Highlands last year was exceptional, and I put on record my thanks to them. Given that wildfires are breaking out, as the cabinet secretary has referenced, including in Lochinver in my constituency this April, we are already seeing the risk. The recent introduction of fire byelaws in the Cairngorms national park, which the cabinet secretary referred to, demonstrates that a targeted approach to prevention is possible. Given the recent wildfires, will the minister urgently commence the powers in the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 to allow local authorities to introduce similar protections where they are needed?”
“The Scottish Government’s wildfires strategic action plan sets out a partnership approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires. Local authorities, national park authorities and public bodies proactively promote responsible outdoor behaviour through signage, education, communication and, as I mentioned in relation to our national parks, byelaws. On 5 March, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launched a communications campaign to raise public awareness of wildfire risk and to discourage risky outdoor behaviours. During periods of heightened wildfire risk, such as now, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service works closely with public authorities and land managers to ensure that clear and consistent public messaging on wildfire risk is conveyed to local communities in a timely and effective way.”
“Therefore, prevention involves education, ensuring that we follow the byelaws when lighting any fires and being mindful that, in our countryside and even in some urban areas, even the smallest spark can cause a wildfire in dry conditions. Wildfires (Prevention) 8.”
“Following on from the good work that was done on the wildfires strategy in the previous parliamentary session by Jim Fairlie and by Siobhian Brown, the former Minister for Victims and Community Safety, a great deal of work is being done on prevention. Indeed, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launched a public awareness campaign on wildfire prevention on 5 March. Its key message is that there is no such thing as a harmless fire, regardless of the size of the spark or flame. I also commend our national parks: the Cairngorms national park will ban fires and barbecues in public places between 1 April and 30 September, and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park has byelaws in place on designated camping management zones, plus a great deal of signage.”
“Responding to wildfires and vegetation fires is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which ensures that any specialist resources are utilised in the most appropriate way to safely respond to incidents. As the experts in the area, as well as the main responder, it is for the service to consider how best to engage with organisations regarding specialist resources and their potential procurement. Clare Adamson: Systems such as those developed by Fire Fogging Systems Ltd, which is a business in my constituency, are in place, and the technology is welcome. However, prevention is better than cure, so what can our at-risk areas do to prevent wildfires? Gillian Martin: Clare Adamson is absolutely right: prevention is key.”
“We are looking to consider matters around whether the data centre is powered from renewable energy sources, whether it makes use of energy-efficient technologies, whether it seeks to minimise water consumption by using a closed- loop system and whether it supports the reuse of excess heat for applications such as the ones that I have mentioned. Planning consideration could also be given as to where data centres are sited in order to allow industrial decarbonisation opportunities.”
“Indeed, it is looking for guidance on assessing planning applications, which are applications only in principle and do not have enough detail from developers who are looking to get approvals and to flog those centres for a quick buck. Gillian Martin: I am aware that local authorities and planning departments are calling for a little more clarity. In the AI strategy, we already committed to publishing guidance on what factors are prevalent in a green data centre. Planning authorities might use a range of factors when considering those matters. I do not think that Alan Brown would expect me to comment on a particular development, as that would not be helpful at all.”
“Although the Scottish Government is not currently undertaking a formal national assessment, we are working with partners to assess the impact of AI data centres and to look at whether current planning conditions are appropriate. Alan Brown: Rufus AI data centre, which was proposed at Hurlford in my constituency, will use the equivalent power output of the United Kingdom’s largest wind farm, Whitelee. Twenty- four data centres are proposed across Scotland, which is why there is a call for a centralised impact assessment. Can the cabinet secretary explain how the assessments that are being undertaken will feed into individual planning assessments? Is she aware that my local authority of East Ayrshire is seeking clarification on what constitutes green data centres?”
“Alan Brown will have heard my answers to previous questions on the issue of a cumulative assessment. We are taking a whole-system approach to understanding the full implications of data centre developments, including, as Alan Brown mentioned, the consideration of energy and water demands, potential economic benefits and the views of communities and local stakeholders. Through continued engagement with the National Energy System Operator, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water, we will look to ensure that data centre investment takes place in a resource-considerate manner, mitigating negative impacts and maximising positive impacts wherever possible—I mentioned some of those impacts in my answer to Mark Ruskell.”
“It could potentially limit the use of professional planning judgment if focused on methods that are becoming out of date. As I said, an evolving piece of work is being done between the national planning hub and local authorities. We will need to consider carefully with stakeholders how a definition could be applied in practice. In the short term, we will consider whether there is further clarity that we can give to support assessment and decision making.”
“I recognise that, in general, hyperscale artificial intelligence data centres are an evolving sector, about which there is a lot of speculation at the moment. The national planning hub has been working with planning authorities, infrastructure providers and industry stakeholders to share an understanding of the emerging impacts and benefits. The national planning hub was set up by me and the now Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform, Ivan McKee, to help local authorities to deal with developments for which they did not have the particular expertise in house and to get that expertise as they need it. Technology and methods around data centres are evolving. There is some risk that an explicit definition could be counterproductive.”
“Gary Bouse: Many of my constituents have been in touch with me to express their legitimate concerns about the impacts of a proposed full application for a hyperscale green data centre at Larbert, which is among several applications that have been made across the country in recent weeks. What discussions have taken place with Scotland’s chief planner to define a green data centre in environmental terms? What guidance is planned to be published on that specific issue prior to the Government’s digital infrastructure guidance, which is not expected until 2027? Gillian Martin: I am sure that Gary Bouse will appreciate that I cannot comment on planning applications and particular developments, and I do not think that he would expect me to.”
“I need to apologise, because I am going to be giving similar answers to a lot of questions as they are exactly the same. As I said, the Scottish Government is building an understanding of the environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of hyperscale data centres. When new planning applications are made, planning authorities have a responsibility to consider the environmental implications of the proposals based on their individual merits. As I have said, in cases in which a proposal is likely to have a significant environmental effect, those powers are supplemented, by the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.”
“However, we are actively considering the issue because, as a result of some of the incentives that have been put in place by the United Kingdom Government for locating data centres in the north of England and in Scotland, we are seeing a lot of speculation at the moment. Some of those proposals might not go to planning, but some of them will. We are working to make sure that we have everything in place, to give our planning officers throughout the country the tools to assess the applications correctly. Hyperscale Data Centres (Environmental Impact Assessment) 9.”
“Gillian Martin: In my answer, I did not say just industry—I said industry and other partners, which involves local authorities as well. I am getting a lot of correspondence from new MSPs on the issue, and a number of questions today as well. One of the issues with data centres is that they have to be in the right place. For example, there are some advantages to siting data centres next to an offtaker, so that the heat from the data centre is effectively taken and used, displacing the fossil fuel heating to an infrastructure project. Planning officers have to take such matters into account, and, as I said, the 2017 regulations already provide the tools for assessing any development.”
“Mark Ruskell: I hear what the cabinet secretary says about her engagement with industry, but it is communities that are facing a deluge of applications for data centres. There are people here today from Fife and across Scotland who are raising their concerns. Answers are needed, cabinet secretary. Fife Council has now asked the Scottish Government for direction over the environmental assessment of the proposed data centre at Auchtertool in Fife. Is it not the case that the Scottish Government has been totally caught out on this issue? Coming up with a definition of a green data centre next year will be far too late for decision makers such as Fife Council. Does the cabinet secretary agree that she needs to sit down with the planning minister, sort out the guidance and, in the meantime, put in place a moratorium on decision making?”
“The Scottish Government has not undertaken a wholly national assessment of the remit that the member specifically outlines on data centres. However, we are currently engaging with industry and partner agencies to better understand the cumulative impacts of data centre developments on the environment. Currently, when new planning applications come forward, planning authorities have a responsibility to consider the environmental implications of all development proposals on their individual merits. That is the case whether they are data centres or, indeed, other developments. In cases in which a proposal is likely to have a significant environmental effect, those powers are further supplemented by the procedures set out in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.”
“I therefore confirm that I will support Claire Baker’s amendment from the Labour benches. However, I must clarify that that is on the basis that the “interim targets” that are referenced in the Labour amendment refer to the now statutory carbon budget approach to reach net zero by 2045, given that there are no longer interim targets in legislation. I stress that accelerating the pace of change will not be easy—”
“I am pleased to open this afternoon’s debate on meeting the challenges of climate change. Despite the majority of people in Scotland recognising that climate change is an immediate and urgent problem, we are witnessing a concerning rise in anti-climate rhetoric from those who seek to sow division. I am proud that Scotland continues to stand firm in our commitment to tackle the twin crises of climate change and nature loss, the impacts of which are already evident across Scotland and, indeed, the world. We know that those crises will intensify and be the cause of potential incidents that will directly affect our citizens, so we must increase our climate resilience. We also know that action must accelerate to deliver our statutory emissions reductions targets and because we have such a moral obligation to decarbonise as fast as possible.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S7M-00367, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on affordable bus fares, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded. For Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP) Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00367.4, in the name of Craig Hoy, is: For 10, Against 107, Abstentions 0.”
“I am certain that offers of private contributions will be greatly appreciated by the local authority, given that the scheme will ultimately protect those businesses as well as residents. More generally, Scotland’s national flood resilience strategy commits to exploring new ways in which public and private finance can contribute to creating flood-resilient places.”
“As initial design work is about to start, what discussions has the Scottish Government had with the major industrial companies in Grangemouth about their financial contribution to the Grangemouth flood protection scheme? Gillian Martin: I thank Martin Day for that important supplementary question. We will continue to work with Falkirk Council, the United Kingdom Government, businesses and investors to secure a long-term sustainable future for the industrial cluster. My officials working on flood policy have been invited to join the Grangemouth future industry board, where substantive discussions on how local companies can contribute to the scheme can happen.”
“The Scottish Government is in close contact with Falkirk Council on how to progress the Grangemouth flood protection scheme. In February, we provided £1.6 million to the council, which will be used to support the next stage of the scheme’s development. That is in addition to the £23 million that the council has received from the Scottish Government for the scheme since 2016-17. Martyn Day: Falkirk Council deserves credit for the years of work that it has put into managing flood risk. With climate change increasing the risk of flooding around Grangemouth and upstream, plans to protect 6,000 people, 2,760 homes, 1,200 businesses and 23km of roads from a major flood event are very welcome.”
“The latest air quality data shows that Dundee is meeting its air quality objectives, which is great news and reflects sustained improvements across the whole city. That is underpinned by a robust monitoring network. There are six automatic monitoring stations, which are supplemented by 89 non-automatic monitors located in areas that have been identified by the local authority as having the most need. The low-emission zone in Dundee is also helping to drive cleaner air. Decisions on where monitors are placed are for the council, but they tend to be in areas of higher pollution. Because those monitors show a decrease in pollution, the low-emission zone is obviously having an effect across the whole city.”
“She advised me that only four of our 34 primary schools are within a 250m range of any accurate monitoring equipment. That means that, at present— The Presiding Officer: Ask a question, please. Heather Anderson: —in 30 of our primary schools, we do not know how safe our children are from damaging air pollution. Would the cabinet secretary welcome Dundee City Council piloting an air monitoring project at primary schools in our city? Gillian Martin: I would welcome anything that the council decides to do in relation to where it puts its monitors and any pilot that it might want to go forward with. Improving air quality to protect the health of Scotland’s population, particularly children and young people, is a key priority.”
“The placement of air quality monitors is prioritised to cover potential air pollution hotspots. Additionally, over time, local authorities have progressively adapted their monitoring strategies to address specific local air quality issues. That approach ensures that any areas of concern, including locations such as schools where vulnerable groups may be present, will be covered. Heather Anderson: We know that there is a correlation between areas of high deprivation and poor air quality for children and adults, which exacerbates pre-existing health inequalities. We also know that children are among the most susceptible to harm from air pollution. In Dundee, we are lucky enough to work with Professor Jill Belch, who is a professor of vascular medicine at the University of Dundee’s school of medicine.”
“We want to better understand concerns and, where possible, work with partners to address them, so that people feel able and supported to come forward. There are already routes such as Crimestoppers to provide information anonymously where criminal activity, including large-scale illegal dumping, is suspected. The Scottish Government will continue to work with local authorities, COSLA and other partners to consider ways to remove barriers to reporting fly- tipping and supporting effective enforcement. E-bikes, E-scooters and Quad Bikes (Police Powers) 7.”
“Kate Campbell: A barrier to reporting for many people is that they may be asked to make a statement to back up any photographic evidence that they have provided, and they might need to give evidence in court against their neighbours. Will the cabinet secretary support exploring a model of third-party reporting sites with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and agencies such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to enable people to provide evidence and report antisocial behaviour anonymously, and will she meet me to discuss that? Gillian Martin: I recognise that, for some people and in many instances, concerns about potentially providing a statement or giving evidence in court may act as a barrier to reporting antisocial behaviour.”
“People should report fly-tipping incidents and share any relevant evidence with their local authority, which, in most cases, leads on investigation and enforcement. The national litter and fly-tipping strategy is clear on the importance of effective reporting and evidence gathering in supporting enforcement action. Through the strategy, we are working with partners including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Keep Scotland Beautiful to improve the quality of fly-tipping data, strengthen intelligence sharing and support a more co- ordinated approach to tackling fly-tipping and environmental crime. Updated action plans are published annually on the Scottish Government website.”
“From island communities investing in renewables to rural areas restoring peatland, cities improving air quality and massive job creation across the country, the benefits of climate action are being felt in every part of Scotland. Achieving net zero is an investment in our economy, in our homes and in all our futures. That is why I am focused on delivering fair climate action that supports the priorities of this Government.”
“Whether it is providing thousands of jobs, improving the air that our children breathe or making it more affordable to travel, climate action is already improving daily life across Scotland. Those who argue that we should give up on net zero are, in effect, arguing that we should give up on warmer homes for families, give up more than 100,000 jobs in the net zero economy and give up billions of pounds in financial benefits for people and businesses across Scotland. The Government will not turn its back on those opportunities, and I hope that members will join me in that. Today’s statistics show continued progress towards our net zero goals, but we need to go faster and further.”
“That is another market-creation opportunity. It is also a huge innovation opportunity, as it involves technology that can be built and designed here that we can take to the rest of the world. The climate change plan, which we published in March, set out £42.3 billion in direct financial benefits for Scotland. That included savings to households through policies such as discretionary bus travel, which the Child Poverty Action Group estimates can save families in Scotland more than £3,000 in the lifetime of a child, compared with families living elsewhere in the UK. On top of that, the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute estimated that Scotland’s climate change plan would provide £8 billion in wider socioeconomic impact through, for example, improved health through physical activity, better air quality and warmer homes.”
“My colleague Stephen Gethins will lead on a heat in buildings delivery plan, which will set out the actions that are necessary to meet our ambitious decarbonisation target in that area. It will provide further clarity on how our buildings are heated and will help to stimulate the clean heat market, thereby encouraging the clean heat supply chain. That action is not just a crucial step towards decarbonising our buildings; it is about making homes warmer, improving the lives of Scottish families and, critically, reducing the scourge of fuel poverty in this country. By the end of the year, we will publish a route map for deploying negative emissions technologies in Scotland, which will provide a framework for how carbon removals can be developed and deployed to support Scotland’s statutory commitment to reach net zero by 2045.”
“We continue to back our farmers and crofters to reduce emissions and improve their bottom line through sustainable farming practices. Our rural areas are already playing a vital role in Scotland’s climate transition, with more than 10,000 hectares of peatland being restored in 2023-24 and 53,000 hectares of woodland being planted in the past five years. That action supports rural jobs, restores our natural environment, enables nature-based solutions to the climate crisis to cut emissions and, critically, enhances climate resilience and community resilience. The climate change plan, our environment strategy and our circular economy strategy form a co-ordinated plan for taking on the climate and nature crisis.”
“We have taken action on warmer homes by providing funding for the installation of more than 2,500 heat pumps just last year through the Home Energy Scotland grant and loan scheme. In transport, as a direct result of Scottish Government funding and enabling private sector investment, Scotland has one of the most comprehensive public electric vehicle charging networks in the whole of the UK, with more than 12,700 public EV chargers. We are also supporting new industrial opportunities through carbon capture and storage in Scotland, including by providing £3 million of grant funding towards the Acorn project and working collaboratively with industry and the UK Government. However, we must see the deployment of the £200 million that the UK Government pledged to get that off the ground.”
“In the past few weeks, the Confederation of British Industry and the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit published a report that outlined that Scotland’s net zero economy supports 105,000 jobs and contributes £10.2 billion in gross value added. Tens of thousands of livelihoods in Scotland are already being supported by the transition to net zero. The climate transition is not just an abstract future; it is a driver of economic growth that is already delivering for Scotland and Scottish people today. Those economic benefits underline the importance of our continued action to reach net zero and reflect the ambitious action that the Scottish Government has already taken.”
“The official statistics publication “Scotland’s Carbon Footprint 1998-2022”, which measures our domestic and imported consumption-based emissions, shows that Scotland’s carbon footprint increased by 1.6 per cent between 2021 and 2022, with equivalent figures for the UK showing 3 per cent growth over that period. “Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Scotland: Annual Report 2026” provides an update on our progress in improving nitrogen use efficiency across Scotland, which is supporting reductions in that significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Those figures tell us something important: progress continues to be made in Scotland. However, we must accelerate the transition. We are bound by law to take action on reducing our emissions, but it is also an economic and social imperative. The prizes are absolutely worth it.”
“Emissions from international aviation and shipping increased by 0.2 megatonnes of CO2, returning to pre-Covid levels, and emissions from domestic transport and buildings each showed very slight increases. The statistics also continue to show that, between 1990 and 2024, Scotland had the largest reduction in emissions in the UK, at 50.5 per cent. The overall reduction in UK emissions, including international aviation and shipping, was 49 per cent. Emissions in England fell by 50.2 per cent, followed by Wales at 44.4 per cent and Northern Ireland at 28.5 per cent. Today, we published two further important climate reports.”
“We all need to ask ourselves whether we are a blocker to progress and delivery or an enabler. Earlier today, we published “Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics 2024”, which provides us with detail of Scotland’s latest progress on emissions reduction. Those official statistics show that, in 2024, Scottish emissions were 50.5 per cent lower than they were in 1990. That is a further reduction of 1 per cent, or 0.4 megatonnes, compared with our position in 2023. The majority of sectors that were measured in the statistics saw modest reductions in emissions, with the largest reduction being in industry, where there was a reduction of 0.3 megatonnes of CO2, which was driven by reduced fossil fuel use. However, there were small increases in emissions related to transport and buildings.”
“I published the climate change plan before the Parliament dissolved at the end of session 6. Notwithstanding how much time and effort it took to create that plan, comparatively, that was the easy part. We now need to drive the delivery of our ambitious policies to decarbonise our society and capitalise on all the benefits and economic opportunities that are before us. I say “we” because every vote and decision that the Parliament takes will result in us succeeding or failing. I am talking not only about a failure to reach targets but a failure to harness the clear benefits of climate action. Over the years in the Parliament, many of us have reached consensus on targets. However, when it comes to policies and actions to deliver on those targets, even the most benign of actions face political opposition. That is just not good enough.”
“However, in recent years, we have seen similar events here in Scotland, including at Dava moor in the Highlands, which last year experienced the first mega wildfire in any of the four nations of the United Kingdom. We should be in no doubt that such devastation is caused by climate change. However, climate action is not just about reducing emissions; it is also an economic, social and health opportunity that will make people’s lives better. Climate action is creating thousands of jobs, with many more to come. It will provide warmer homes, it has huge potential to reduce the cost of living and it will strengthen the resilience of communities not only to protect themselves against the impacts of climate change but to make their neighbourhoods much nicer places to live in.”
“I am here today to discuss Scotland’s progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, before I go into that in detail, I want to express how pleased I am to return to Government as the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, a portfolio that is of great importance to the people of Scotland. I am acutely aware of the responsibility that we all have to limit and mitigate the impacts of climate change and to take effective action on its causes. Those impacts are felt by people at home and abroad. We have sadly grown used to witnessing devastating wildfires in places such as California and across southern Europe.”
“Our officials are working alongside their UK Government counterparts to ensure that Scottish tenant farmers remain exempt from inheritance tax. We remain committed to supporting our farmers and crofters by giving them certainty through our support for active farming and food production, with direct payments. We have brought forward payment dates to pay farmers and crofters at the earliest possible opportunity to assist with cash flow and to give them certainty, which is lacking in other areas. North Coast 500 (Economic Impacts) 7.”
“Lloyd Melville: Having visited agricultural businesses in my constituency, such as Newton farm, I know how squeezed farmers and crofters across Scotland are feeling, often by issues outwith the scope of this Parliament. Can the cabinet secretary set out what engagement the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government on those reserved issues? Does she agree that, if we are serious about food security and sustaining rural communities, family farms need certainty, fairness and practical support? Gillian Martin: Our engagement with the UK Government is ongoing. We have consistently called on the UK Government to reverse the damaging and ill-thought-out decision to increase employer national insurance contributions. Agriculture is not the only sector that is affected by that.”
“The Government is committed to supporting active farming and sustainable food production through direct payments, regardless of choices made elsewhere. The 2026 payment strategy maintains the timings for direct payments and Scottish rural development programme funding, which, over the coming five years, will, per the rural support plan, provide certainty, preparation and investment, ensuring that our farmers and crofters have the confidence to invest and prepare for changes. The Scottish Parliament voted in favour of calling for the United Kingdom Government to reverse the national insurance increase, acknowledging that that increase will likely result in higher costs, job losses and increased prices.”
“There is no statutory process for the designation of new bathing waters, and proposals are often made by local authorities. On her invitation to come to Tighnabruaich, I will consult my private office to see whether we can fit that in over the summer. It would be my pleasure to do so.”
“Will the minister agree to visit Tighnabruaich with me to see the situation for herself and to commit to closing Scotland’s sewage monitoring gap as a first step towards clean water legislation? Gillian Martin: I thank Ariane Burgess for that invitation. Like me, she probably takes to the open water. Before we go into the water, we must ensure that we check all the conditions using the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s website, because the water can become unsafe in lots of ways that are not related to anything to do with the wastewater system. When sites are designated as bathing waters, where a large number of people are expected to bathe, regard is given to past trends and the infrastructure facilities that are provided.”
“Scotland’s legislative framework already supports improvements in the water environment. Ninety sites are designated as bathing waters. Last year, 97 per cent of those sites achieved the required bathing water standards. The Scottish Government is considering our water-related policies to ensure that they continue to meet the public’s expectations and deliver adaptation to the growing impacts of drought and flooding that are arising from climate change. Our publicly owned water and wastewater services are funded by customers, with all profits going back into improvements in infrastructure. Ariane Burgess: My constituents in Tighnabruaich want to swim in and restore the sea on their doorstep, but a broken sewage system is making the water too toxic to enter.”