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Scotland will continue to play a leading role in the Under2 Coalition and we will use our position as co-chair to drive climate ambition and delivery from all non-party governments, states and regions towards net zero, which prioritises a just transition and a resilient future.

This includes playing a leadership role within the Coalition to increase support for the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration, which Scotland was the first government to commit to. We are also progressing its aim within Scotland ahead of COP27 through:

• the Good Food Nation Bill introduced to Parliament in October 2021,
• further development of our local food strategy following public consultation in late 2021, and
• working with the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership to support progress towards the Scottish Food and Drink Sectors Industry Net Zero Commitment launched at COP26.

The Scottish Government’s upskilling and retraining programmes, including Individual Training Accounts, the Flexible Workforce Development Fund and the Green Jobs Workforce Academy, are designed to equip workers with the skills that employers need now and will need in the future. Additionally, the Skills Recognition Scotland project is designed to support workers with qualifications gained outside the UK to overcome unemployment and underemployment.

The Scottish Government remains committed to working with employers on the fair work agenda, including supporting individuals to use their skills to their full extent, which contributes to fulfilling work as set out in the Fair Work Framework. The most recent Scottish Employer Skills Survey, published in 2021, reported that, in total, 8% of employees were under-utilised in their role, which is an improvement from the figures reported in 2017.

In the Heat in Buildings Strategy, we committed to carry out research to understand the extent to which the deployment of secondary technologies alongside zero emissions heating systems could help to optimise operational performance, minimise energy consumption and reduce end user fuel costs. This research is underway, and seeks to understand the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of heat batteries, electric batteries, and thermal storage cylinders when installed alongside a range of zero emissions primary heating technologies; both independently of and combined with microgeneration technologies such as solar PV and solar thermal. We expect to publish this research this year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05679 on 27 January 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

There has been no specific evaluation of the role of rooftop solar and storage in local electrical distribution networks to date. However, in the Bute House Agreement, the Scottish Government committed to set out a vision for the future of solar in Scotland, in consultation with the sector. As we develop this vision over the coming months, we will consider the role of solar in the delivery of a just transition to net zero, including exploring the role that solar technology could play in supporting the decarbonisation of heat and transport, as well as any impacts on local distribution networks.

Also to note, in the Heat in Buildings Strategy, we committed to carry out research to understand the extent to which the deployment of secondary technologies alongside zero emissions heating systems could help to optimise operational performance, minimise energy consumption and reduce end user fuel costs. This research is underway, and seeks to understand the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of heat batteries, electric batteries, and thermal storage cylinders when installed alongside a range of zero emissions primary heating technologies; both independently of and combined with microgeneration technologies such as solar PV and solar thermal. We expect to publish this research this year.

There has been no specific evaluation of the contribution of solar thermal and solar PV to the heat network targets for 2027 and 2030.

Our Heat in Building Strategy sets out that technologies, such as solar thermal and solar PV, can work well when used in conjunction with primary heating technologies, such as heat pumps.

As set out in our draft Heat Networks Delivery Plan, from the point that the heat networks legislative framework is in place, any new heat network as well as additional plans for heat network extensions will be required to be powered using low and zero emissions sources of heat. The plan also notes that license holders who operate existing networks will be required to prepare and implement a Heat Network Decarbonisation Plan, which will include milestones for making significant reductions in emissions by 2030 and 2035. To support development of these plans, we will commission work to test and develop an approach to preparing them during 2022.

The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022 are currently being developed and expected to be laid in the Scottish Parliament on 31 March 2022. Supporting guidance contained in the technical handbooks will be published in the Spring.

The Fair Work Convention’s Framework defines fair work and underpins our Fair Work policy, but it is not designed to be enforceable. Moreover, employment law is currently reserved to the UK Government, and in the absence of employment powers we continue to deliver our Fair Work Action Plan to embed work practices in workplaces across Scotland.

Through our Fair Work First approach, fair work criteria is being applied to public sector grants, other funding and contracts where it is relevant and proportionate to do so. This approach encourages employers to adopt fair work practices, rather than penalising those who cannot and provides the best opportunity to engage and support employers.

As part of the Bute House Agreement , and subject to limits on devolved competence, by Summer 2022, we will make it a requirement for the recipients of public sector grants to pay at least the real Living Wage and provide appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice, such as trade union recognition. We continue to work with the Fair Work Convention and other key stakeholders to strengthen conditionality and ensure it is proportionate and effective in delivering real benefits.

ScotWind leasing is administered by Crown Estate Scotland who are responsible for completing the process of due diligence in line with relevant guidance.

Crown Estate Scotland advises that all project partners were required to make a declaration providing Crown Estate Scotland with written assurance that they have not been convicted of unlawful activity in relation to a range of requirements, including aspects such as; corruption, bribery, fraud and human trafficking and exploitation, within the last five years. Only companies providing such assurances were allowed to proceed with bids.

The ScotWind terms and conditions make clear that Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to void any application which is found to have provided false information. If any companies have been found to have made false declarations on these matters Crown Estate Scotland will take the appropriate action.

The Scottish Government is clear that both public authorities and private enterprises have a responsibility to ensure human rights are respected and protected in the workplace. Scottish Ministers remain committed to defending the vitally-important legislation which protects human rights in Scotland and in the UK – including both the Human Rights Act 1998 and the constitutional protections built into the Scotland Act 1998.

The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) provides free advice, and loan and grant funding, with up to £8.25M made available this financial year (2021-22) to assist community groups in developing renewable energy projects, supporting the growth of community and locally owned energy in Scotland.

The Scottish Government launched a ‘Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings’ funding call last year which received 85 applications for support. Planning for support that CARES will provide in 2022/2023 is currently underway and a greater focus and priority will be given to decarbonisation, including for heat in buildings.

CARES also offers an enablement grant of up to £25,000 as well as funding for connections to district heating schemes that are powered fully or partially by a renewable source of energy. Funding of up to £5,000 (75% grant and 25% loan) is available per connection.

Funding is also being made available through CARES to help communities in rural and island areas develop cleaner, greener and cheaper energy.

The investment will empower communities which operate existing local independent grid electricity systems to develop local, independent climate-friendly electricity supplies. £3 million is being made available to develop projects in 2022-23, and expressions of interest to the fund, administered by Local Energy Scotland, closed on 31 January 2022.