Scotland's Climate Assembly: operations and administration arrangements

Introduction

1. Section 32A of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 introduced by section 2A of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 (the 2019 Act) requires Scottish Ministers to establish a panel to be known as a 'citizens' assembly' to exercise the following functions:

a) consider how to prevent or minimise, or remedy or mitigate the effects of, climate change,
b) make recommendations on measures proposed to achieve the emissions reductions targets,
c) make recommendations about such other matters in relation to climate change as the Scottish Ministers may refer to the assembly (where approved by a Scottish Parliament resolution).

2. The 2019 Act also requires that, before the first meeting of the citizens' assembly, a report is laid before the Scottish Parliament on the arrangements for the administration and operation of the assembly.