Holyrood’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee has launched an inquiry into how Scotland can ensure that a green, just and resilient recovery is central in our response to the social and economic challenges of the COVID-19 health crisis.
The inquiry will focus on identifying the principles, opportunities, key actions for change, immediate priorities, leadership and governance needed to underpin an effective green recovery, as well as the potential barriers to implementation.
The Committee has issued a call for views to help inform its inquiry over the coming weeks.
Gillian Martin MSP (above), Convener of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, said: “The global pandemic has been responsible for creating immediate challenges across almost every aspect of modern day living.
“But pre-COVID-19, we already faced the biggest and most immediate challenge of all – Climate Change. We have proven that, as a nation, we can adapt our behaviours and thinking for the greater good, so it makes complete sense that within this mindset, we grab the opportunity to change our habits and thinking to bring us out of this crisis in a green and sustainable way.
“A reframed pathway will help us meet our climate change targets for 2030, 2040 and 2045 at the same time as creating a stronger, cleaner and more resilient economy.”
“If you have views on how we should progress from here, our Committee would love to hear from you. You may be an environmental expert; belong to a third sector organisation or campaign group; local authority or non-departmental public body or be a member of the public. All of your views are important and help us reach the conclusions we take to the Scottish Parliament.”
The Committee would particularly welcome views on the following questions –
- Do the principles of sustainable development* (Webpage Annex A) and those proposed by the UK Committee on Climate Change**, provide a comprehensive framework for guiding an effective green recovery in Scotland?
- What are the key barriers to delivering a green recovery (within your sector and / or community)?
- What key policies, actions and immediate priorities are needed to deliver a green recovery (within your sector and / or community)?
- How should the 2021/22 Budget support a green and sustainable recovery and avoid locking in carbon?
- What funding is needed to deliver a green and sustainable recovery?
The closing date for responses is Friday 7 August 2020.
To respond to this inquiry, please find the committee’s call for evidence here: https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/115472.aspx
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