1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3 and 4 in private.

2. The role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Jeremy Gorelick, Strategic Advisor and Emma Harvey, Programme Director for the Coalition for the Energy Efficiency of Buildings, Green Finance Institute;

Ben Howarth, Manager, Climate Change and Open Data Policy, Association of British Insurers;

and then from—

John Cunningham, Strategy Manager, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar;

Nick Halfhide, Director of Nature and Climate Change, NatureScot;

David Harley, Chief Officer Circular Economy, Scottish Environment Protection Agency;

Professor Simon Parsons, Director of Strategic Customer Service Planning, Scottish Water;

Julie Waldron, Senior Planning Officer (Landscape and Water), City of Edinburgh Council.

Liam Kerr declared that he owns a property in Edinburgh that generates rental income, in reference to a question on buy to let properties.

3. The role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland (in private):

The consideration of evidence for this item was deferred to a later meeting.

4. Energy price rises (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report.

Various changes were agreed to and the Committee agreed to consider a revised draft at its next meeting.