COP27: outcomes, achievements and costs

Costs

The Scottish Government applied the principle of value for money throughout the planning and delivery of COP. The costs for the pavilion were shared with ICLEI. All flights were booked economy class and, where available and appropriate, on budget airlines. Accommodation was booked as early as possible to lock in lower prices. Officials used the free COP buses to travel to and from the COP venue where possible. Standard Scottish Government rules for travel and subsistence costs were applied. Scottish Government subsistence rules do not allow ministers or officials to claim for alcohol.

Below lists the Scottish Government costs from COP27. These costs were met from the Scottish Government’s 2022/23 budget. Accommodation and subsistence costs in pounds sterling are estimated due to exchange rate variations. The names and job titles of grade A to C civil servants are not released under Freedom of Information requests. For information on salaries, Scottish Government Public Sector Pay Policy can be found at: Staff Pay Remits - Public sector pay policy 2022 to 2023 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

First Minister and team

The First Minister and her team participated in COP27 6 – 9 November 2022. Three officials accompanied the First Minister. The First Minister hotel details are not provided on security advice. Their transport in Egypt was provided by the British Embassy. A breakdown of the costs associated with the First Minister and her team’s visit are:

First Minister

Accommodation: £1,520
Travel (flight): £1,562.64
Total: £3,082.64

First Ministers Team (at grades C2, B3 & B2)

Accommodation: £2,729.10
Travel (flights): £2,939.81
Subsistence/ incremental expenses (inc food and non alcoholic drinks): £731.78
Miscellaneous (inc telephony): £110
Total: £6,510.69

The Minister

The Minister for Environment and Land Reform participated in COP27 15 – 18 November 2022 and was accompanied by one official. The Minister’s hotel details are not provided on security advice. Their transport in Egypt was provided by the British Embassy. A breakdown of the costs associated with their visit are:

The Minister for Environment and Land Reform

Accommodation: £1,229
Travel (flight and transit accommodation): £534.40
Total: £1,763.40

Ministerial support (at grade B2)

Accommodation: £1,229
Travel (flight and transit accommodation): £534.40
Miscellaneous (inc telephony): £55
Total: £1,818.40

Officials

A total of 13 officials from the International Climate Change (ICC) team and the communication team, the Deputy Director, the Director for the Directorate for Energy and Climate Change participated in COP27.

A breakdown of their costs are below.

Senior Civil Service - 1 x Director (13-17 Nov) and 1 x Deputy Director from ICC (5-10 Nov)

Accommodation: £2,821.23
Travel (flights): £2,395.41
Subsistence/incremental expenses (inc food and non alcoholic drinks): £424.88
Miscellaneous (inc telephony): £110
Total: £5,751.52

Non Senior Civil Service officials - 2 x C2, 1 x C1, 4 x B3, 5 x B2 (5/6 Nov – 19 Nov) and 1 x B3 (5-9 Nov only)

Accommodation: £39,087.03
Travel (flights and transit accommodation): £9,316.93
Subsistence/incremental expenses (inc food and non alcoholic drinks): £4,047.90
Miscellaneous (inc telephony): £884.06
Total: £53,335.92

A special advisor participated in COP27 5 – 16 November 2022. A breakdown of costs are: 

Accommodation: £1,619.50
Travel (flight): £525.60
Subsistence/incremental expenses (inc food and non alcoholic drinks): £318.51
Total: £2,463.61

Two members of the Scottish Government’s Civ Tech Alliance team (at grades C3 & B2) participated in COP27 9-12 November 2022.

A breakdown of their costs are:

Accommodation: £1,209.10
Travel (flight): £1,381.52
Subsistence/incremental expenses (inc food and non alcoholic drinks): £299.93
Miscellaneous (inc telephony): £110
Total: £3,000.55