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SECTION 6: OTHER ISSUES

6.1 The focus of this report has been to present the findings in the areas covered in the specific questions in the consultation document. Where additional issues have been raised which were relevant to a particular question, but which did not necessarily address it directly, these issues have also been highlighted in the preceding sections.

6.2 Additionally, however, respondents made many other points in the material submitted, much of which was of a more general nature, or did not link readily to a consultation question. While it is clearly impossible to detail all of this information, this section provides an overview of some of the themes which were raised frequently but which were not explored directly in the consultation. Some general overarching themes also emerged repeatedly in consideration of the questions, and these are summarised briefly at the end of the section.

The nature of respondents

6.3 Many respondents provided background information about their organisation or about their response. This included details of issues such as:

• The general nature of their work and background, including issues such as the relevance of this, and their expertise, as well as, in some cases, details of their funding and structure, or recognition of their role in contributing to climate change.
• Their overall commitment to the issues.
• Relevant work undertaken in the past or currently, with often very detailed accounts given (with examples including: the development of strategies or plans; specification of targets or commitments; development of working groups; investments; measurement, information gathering and reporting; development of standards or guidance; work to influence or advise others; publication of reports; personal action by some individual respondents; some very specific initiatives; and a range of other developments).
• How the response was derived (with examples including: through a small expert working group; group discussions and seminars; participation in other groups and events; and an electronic survey).
• Whose views are represented (e.g. how many members organisations have, or how many participants were involved, the nature of their membership or participants and why their views are relevant).
• The focus of the response (with some, for example, noting that they had responded only to those questions where they had particular expertise to offer).
• Their endorsement of other responses or involvement with other relevant bodies.
• Their potential role in taking forward action to address climate change mitigation and / or adaptation.

Expressions of welcome for the Bill or process

6.4 A large number of responses (including campaign texts and "campaign plus" responses) also made general comments commending or offering congratulation on aspects of the Bill or the process. Of these, the most common comments welcomed the consultation process, or the opportunity for respondents to provide their views. A further common theme was to welcome or support the commitment and intention to introduce legislation (at least in principle) or to establish a framework, with some respondents stressing the importance or significance of the legislation. A less common theme (but still raised by a number of respondents) was to welcome the leadership shown in bringing forward these proposals. The general importance of leadership, both in Scotland and internationally, was stressed by many respondents at various points and reflected in most of the campaign texts. Some respondents expressed their hopes for the Bill in terms of achieving success in addressing climate change.

The importance of climate change and the need for action

6.5 This links to a further issue which was emphasised specifically in a number of responses (including some campaign texts) which was the overall importance of the issue of climate change. This was clearly implicit in most of the responses to the consultation, but some respondents provided more detailed views. There were a number of separate strands to these comments, which tended to focus on the need to recognise the following issues:

• That climate change is happening now.
• The global significance of climate change.
• The impact of climate change (and, in some cases, the impact on Scotland or on particular sectors).
• The general threat posed by climate change and the specific threat, for example, to the world's poor or to the environment and biodiversity.
• The challenge posed by climate change.
• Expectations for the future (including, for some, recognition of some areas of uncertainty), views of the likely future impact and threat.
• The potential consequences of inaction.

6.6 The need for action was a further common overall theme, raised specifically in many responses (including some campaign texts), with a perceived need for this to be taken into account. Again, there were a number of issues within this which were raised frequently. These included:

• The general need for action, and for Scotland to make a fair contribution to limiting the global average temperature increase to not more than 2°C.
• The need for action as a moral and / or ethical imperative.
• The importance of giving the issue high priority (or the perceived lack of priority or limited action taken in the past).
• The urgency of need and the importance of early action (along with the suggestion that action could be taken now, or a concern about delays to the legislation).
• The potential consequences of delaying action (often with the provision of detailed supporting evidence).
• The need for practical measures to accompany the Bill and the importance of these (with many of the specific suggestions detailed in the previous section).
• The need for a strategy and / or action plans (including national, local and / or sectoral; and both general and in specific areas of work, such as adaptation, energy, emissions reduction or infrastructure), with some suggesting that the Bill should place a requirement for the production of, and reporting on these documents, or that actions should be incorporated into current relevant developments.

A number of respondents (including some "campaign plus" responses) identified ways in which they were seeking to make changes to their own lives.

6.7 A small number of respondents provided evidence which, in their view, supported the view that climate change was not an issue, or that the approach of the Scottish Government and others was flawed.

The approach of the Bill

6.8 A range of comments were also made which related generally to the overall approach of the Bill, or comprised suggestions about the emphasis or tone of this. Some of these have been raised previously in relation to specific questions. Suggestions included, for example, the need for the Bill to have:

• A high priority.
• Flexibility, coupled with a recognition of the need to provide clarity and certainty (e.g. for businesses and future planning).
• Scope for immediate and longer term action and for continuing measurement, monitoring, review and development.
• A clear and / or specified purpose (with some additional suggestions being made, and one respondent, for example, identifying a suggested set of objectives and principles).
• Clear definitions (with some issues identified on which further definition could be provided).
• Details of roles and responsibilities.
• Links to, recognition of and compatibility with, other relevant developments in Scotland, the UK and internationally (with different views about the level of alignment required).
• A focus on delivery and action and, in the view of some respondents, further reference to ways of achieving the targets, and an indication of priorities and opportunities.

6.9 Many respondents identified that there is a need and opportunity to show leadership from the Scottish Government and the wider public sector, or for Scotland as a nation to lead by example. Some also emphasised the need for difficult decisions to be taken and the need for the political will to continue to take action. It was also suggested (for example at some of the events) that it would be helpful to learn from experiences elsewhere, and one respondent stated that this was preferable to additional pilot projects (although these were also advocated by others).

6.10 It was also suggested that the Bill, or the actions and processes following from it should be:

• Strong and bold (which was emphasised in most of the campaign texts).
• Clear, transparent and simple.
• Radical, creative and ambitious.
• Science-based.
• Fair and equitable.
• Based on the principles of sustainable development (explicitly), including global sustainable development, which it was argued should be acknowledged in the preamble.
• Well-publicised.

One respondent, however, proposed that any action should be delayed for at least two years until evidence on climate change is clearer.

6.11 Many respondents identified a range of additional issues which would require consideration in taking action to tackle climate change, and these included:

• Limitations which may result from reserved issues or issues otherwise outwith the Scottish Government's control (although it was also suggested that action could be taken to influence these areas and to collaborate with others).
• Potential environmental damage through some actions, and the need to avoid this.
• Potential conflict between economic growth and addressing climate change. (While a number of respondents identified the need for economic growth, others saw tackling climate change as a greater priority, or highlighted long term economic benefits. This issue was characterised by different views about conflicts and positive opportunities, the relative priority of different issues, and the specific nature of concerns.)
• Limitations from a lack of interest in the issues, a lack of priority or a focus on the wrong issues.
• Limitations from a lack of knowledge, understanding or skills, or lack of vision.
• Potential resistance and / or opposition (e.g. in particular sectors or to particular measures).
• Implementation difficulties with some actions (e.g. technical difficulties, capacity issues, delays, bureaucracy, inconsistency etc.).
• Potential difficulties in sustaining action over a long policy horizon in the face of political changes.
• Infrastructure problems.
• Conflicting or inconsistent policy, priorities and / or legislation (discussed previously).
• Potential financial costs.
• Other pressures and demands.
• The need for a focus on carbon budgeting and accounting, and the need for, and means of developing an effective carbon price.

6.12 Many also identified opportunities in the Bill, either in terms of a general recognition that the Bill could have positive environmental, social and economic effects, or by providing more specific details of these positive effects. Examples were given of the opportunity for positive effects not only upon climate change and the environment, but also upon issues such as: economic opportunities and Scottish businesses; employment; research, development and new technology; public health; tourism; social inclusion and communities. A small number of respondents suggested that the Bill should provide for an assessment of opportunities arising from adapting to and mitigating climate change.

Ways of working

6.13 A further recurrent theme in a number of responses involved suggested ways of working, or the general approach to developments which should be taken, some of which have been highlighted in previous sections in relation to specific questions. The most common issues raised were the need for joined-up working and thinking, and the need for working in partnership. A number of respondents identified inter-relationships between issues, and the cross-cutting nature of these (and some identified specific issues which they considered to be closely linked). It was stressed that there is a need for an holistic, consistent and coherent approach within and between different areas of policy and practice (and some argued that the Bill should create a requirement for consistency). It was stressed that consistency is needed within Government, within partnerships, within and between organisations in the public private and voluntary sectors, and between organisations and individuals.

6.14 A number of respondents stressed the need for the involvement of a wide range of participants in tackling climate change. As well as the stress on the need for partnership working, the need for action to be taken by the private sector and amongst the wider public arose repeatedly (as was apparent from some of the suggested measures which were identified earlier). The importance of the private sector contribution was highlighted, with comments including, for example, that there is a willingness amongst businesses to tackle these issues, a need to engage with businesses and a need to support and enable them to play their part. Some proposed that there should also be requirements placed upon the private sector. The importance of wider community engagement and ownership of action was also highlighted. It was also argued that the public should be involved more actively in policy and decision making relating to climate change.

Resources

6.15 The need for financial resources also emerged frequently, and has been identified in comments made on specific questions. Respondents stressed the general need for resources, and some expressed concerns about the implications of insufficient provision, investment, allocation or targeting of resources. Many specific types of work were identified by different respondents for which there was a specific need for investment or resources.

Comments on specific aspects of the document or process

6.16 As noted, many respondents made general comments welcoming the consultation or the opportunity to participate. Some made more specific comments or observations on particular aspects of the consultation document or the overall consultation process. These included respondents who:

• Commented on particular paragraphs in the consultation document.
• Took issue with some of the material or the focus of the document.
• Presented alternative detailed arguments.
• Highlighted perceived omissions (either questions or specific issues) or issues on which further clarity was needed.
• Suggested that a longer timescale for the consultation would have been beneficial.

While the content of all of these comments is not detailed here, many of the issues have already been covered within the report in identifying issues suggested for inclusion, and all of this material has been read in full by the Bill team. All of the information presented within this report, along with all of the detailed material within the individual responses will assist in taking this issue forward and will inform the development of the Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Overarching themes

6.17 As well as these issues, it is clear from the preceding sections that some common themes or core messages emerged repeatedly in consideration of the actual questions, and these included:

• Overall recognition by almost all respondents of the seriousness of climate change and the need for early action.
• General support for a commitment to taking action to address climate change in Scotland, as part of a wider international and global response.
• Recognition of the need for targets and for the nature and intended outcomes of the actions required to be specified.
• Acknowledgement of the complexity of the issue of climate change, the range of factors which will impact on action, the potential tensions and the range of issues which require consideration in addressing the issue.
• A prevalent view that the response to climate change should be based upon sound science, current knowledge and expert advice.
• The need for research on a range of issues.
• The need for regular monitoring and reporting.
• The need for transparent and independent scrutiny within a flexible but robust framework.
• A shared view that the way forward will involve many stakeholders in different ways, and that everyone in Scotland needs to play their part in tackling climate change.
• An emphasis on the need for leadership, direction, clarity and certainty in the way forward, with all of those involved aware of their own roles and responsibilities, the roles and responsibilities of other stakeholders, the actions necessary and the expectations and requirements upon them.
• An emphasis on the need for the legislative framework and for action to address climate change to link to other relevant work.

Summary: Other Issues

The comments on other issues can be summarised as follows:

• Respondents made many additional points which were of a more general nature, or which did not link readily to a consultation question. Many provided background information about their organisation or about their response, including details of issues such as: the general nature of their work and background; their overall commitment to addressing climate change; relevant activities; how the response was derived; whose views are represented; the focus of the response; their endorsement of other responses or involvement with other relevant bodies; or their potential role in taking forward action to address climate change.
• A large number of responses made general comments commending or offering congratulation on aspects of the Bill or the process. Comments welcomed: the consultation process, or the opportunity to provide their views; the commitment and intention to introduce legislation or to establish a framework; and the leadership shown by Scotland.
• A number of respondents stressed the overall importance of the issue of climate change, and the need for action was also a common theme.
• A range of comments were made about the overall approach of the Bill, or the emphasis or tone. Suggestions included the need for it to have: a high priority; flexibility; scope for immediate and longer term action and for continuing measurement, monitoring, review and development; a clear and / or specified purpose; clear definitions and details of roles and responsibilities; links to other relevant developments in Scotland, the UK and internationally; a focus on delivery and action; and, for some, further reference to ways of achieving the targets, and an indication of priorities and opportunities.
• Many respondents suggested the need and opportunity for leadership. Some also emphasised the need for difficult decisions to be taken, or for political will to take action. It was also argued that it would be helpful to learn from experiences elsewhere.
• It was also identified that the Bill and the actions and processes should be: strong and bold; clear, transparent and simple; radical, creative and ambitious; science-based; fair and equitable; based on the principles of sustainable development; and well-publicised.
• Many respondents identified a range of additional issues which would require consideration in taking action to tackle climate change, such as: issues outwith the Scottish Government's control; potential environmental damage through some actions; potential conflict between economic growth and addressing climate change; lack of interest in the issues; lack of knowledge, understanding, skills or vision; potential resistance and / or opposition; implementation difficulties with some actions; difficulties in sustaining action; infrastructure problems; conflicting or inconsistent policy, priorities and / or legislation; potential financial costs; other pressures and demands; and issues relating to carbon budgeting and accounting, and the development of an effective carbon price.
• Many also identified opportunities in the Bill, either in terms of a general recognition that the Bill could have positive environmental, social and economic effects, or by providing more specific details of these positive effects.
• Many respondents suggested ways of working, or the general approach which should be taken, and the most common issues were the need for joined up working and thinking, and the need for working in partnership. The need for action by the private sector and by the wider public arose repeatedly.
• The need for financial resources also arose frequently.
• Some respondents made specific comments or observations on particular aspects of the consultation document or the overall consultation process, including respondents who: commented on particular paragraphs; took issue with some of the material or the focus of the document; presented alternative detailed arguments; highlighted perceived omissions or issues on which further clarity was needed; or suggested that a longer timescale for the consultation would have been beneficial.
• Some common themes or core messages were identified repeatedly in respondents' consideration of the actual questions, including: the seriousness of climate change and the need for early action; a commitment to taking action in Scotland; the need for targets and actions to be specified; the complexity of the issue of climate change; the need for a basis in science, knowledge and advice; the need for research; the need for regular monitoring and reporting; the need for scrutiny within a flexible but robust framework; the need for everyone in Scotland to play their part in tackling climate change; the need for leadership, direction, clarity and certainty in the way forward; and the need for links to other relevant work.

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