Energy and Environment  

The consultation on ‘forestry provisions in the Scottish Climate Change Bill’ has been launched on the increased role that Scotland's forests can play in the fight against climate change. The consultation invites comments on innovative suggestions including:

·        Establishing joint ventures with communities or the private sector to develop renewable sources of energy on the national forest estate

·        How best the national forest estate can contribute to achieving a total of 10,000 hectares of new woodland per year - woodland that will lock up 1.2m tonnes of carbon per year by 2050 and also help to create new jobs

·        The possible creation of a not for profit Trust that will bring renewed vigour to the task of woodland creation

Comments can be submitted until January 27, 2009.

Click here for the full release.

The latest beneficiaries of the Climate Challenge Fund include thermal imaging to spot heat escapes and a new cycle path for children. This far a total of £1,165,761 have been allocated to 18 community projects across Scotland as part of the next round of investment from the Fund. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"The projects I am funding today show that there is a real appetite across the country to do something for the environment.” 

Click here for the full release.

The Perthshire town of Comrie has introduced a community-led project to decrease its carbon footprint which includes a ‘street-by-street home insulation project’ in partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy. The Comrie Development Trust has received almost £300,000 from the Climate Challenge Fund, supported by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party.

Patrick Harvie, MSP for the Greens, said:

"Where Comrie leads, we believe the rest of Scotland will follow. Properly insulating our homes is the best way to tackle fuel poverty, improve health, and beat climate change all at the same time. In particular, this kind of comprehensive programme brings real benefits for the community, is far more cost efficient, and has a much better chance of delivering savings than narrowly targeted alternatives.” 

Click here for the full release.

Click here for a video of this scheme.

The Government has today launched a pre-scoping report for a North Sea Offshore Grid. The specific aim of the study was to ‘propose the terms of reference for a study to examine the feasibility of the strategic long-term development of the renewable energy resources of the North Sea’.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“This is a major step forward in realising Scotland's renewable energy potential - which can make a big contribution to Europe and the world in moving to clean, green sources of energy. Scotland has a clear, competitive advantage across the range of renewable technologies - with up to 25 per cent of Europe's offshore wind, wave and tidal energy potential. It is vital that we harness our renewables resources, and develop a grid infrastructure so that we can export the massive quantities of green energy Scotland is capable of producing.” 

Click here for the full release.

Click here to view the pre-scoping report. 

Public Service Reform  

A number of bodies scrutinising public services will be abolished or merged to bring ‘greater consistency and free up staff for frontline duties’. Consequently, there will be a single scrutiny body looking at health services and a single body scrutinising care and social work; moves that are in line with the Governments’ Public Sector reform programme.  Announcing the plans to the Parliament, Finance Secretary John Swinney said:

“In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever that all public services actively contribute towards that purpose… I am determined to take us beyond principles to tangible action. We are making bold choices—the right choices—to deliver an effective and proportionate scrutiny system for Scotland. 

… Our reform of the scrutiny system is a key strand of this Government's desire for a more simplified and coherent approach to public service delivery, including a much clearer role for public bodies. In doing that, we are streamlining decision making and increasing transparency; stopping activity that no longer contributes to the public purpose; and applying much tougher tests to the creation of new bodies.” 

Broadly speaking, the opposition parties supported this announcement.

Click here for the full release.

Click here for Mr Swinney’s statement to Parliament.

Renewing Democracy  

This week over a hundred young people from across Scotland contributed to the Government’s National Conversation. More than 5,000 young people have completed an online questionnaire, and 1,000 have attended local events, whilst local investigation teams of young people have been set up to lead discussion with their peers.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“Today young people prove their value, ambition and enthusiasm for Scotland… The willingness of our young people to debate and consider the choices they face and the responsibilities they involve is a great sign of hope for the future in every aspect.” 

Click here for the full release.

Click here to view Young Scot’s discussion forums on the National Conversation.