Supporting Scotland’s Islands on their Journey to Become Carbon Neutral
The final question is, that motion S6M-04428, in the name of Mairi Gougeon, on supporting Scotland’s islands on their journey to become carbon neutral, as amended, be agreed to.
Motion, as amended, agreed to,
That the Parliament welcomes the Scottish Government's announcement of the six islands that will be supported towards becoming fully carbon neutral by 2040; notes that the six islands are Hoy, Islay, Great Cumbrae, Raasay, Barra and Yell; recognises that these six islands will embrace the opportunity for island communities to lead the way in realising Scotland's climate change ambitions; notes that the project will benefit all Scottish islands, and not only those supported directly as part of the project, through knowledge exchange and good practices; welcomes this initiative, which puts Scotland's islands at the forefront of climate change policy while celebrating their unique culture and heritage; acknowledges that the six carbon neutral islands will become international trailblazers and champions of carbon neutrality across the world; calls on the Scottish Government to provide support and funding so that the islands and islanders can progress towards being carbon neutral; further calls on the Scottish Government to publish plans for these islands to achieve these goals; acknowledges that the outlined move to carbon neutrality for six islands is just five years before the net zero target for the whole of Scotland; is committed to all of Scotland's islands becoming carbon neutral and will ensure that those whose economy is more dependent on hydrocarbons will not be left behind; believes that the transition to net zero must be a jobs led, just transition, which is dependent on good quality, secure jobs in the renewables sector, and recognises the opportunities presented by offshore wind and its supply chain, including future decommissioning, in creating and supporting a skilled renewables workforce and helping to ensure that adequate investment is made in retraining opportunities for oil and gas workers and in developing the infrastructure needed to ensure island communities can benefit from supply chain jobs.