Richard Lochhead

Investment of £12.3 million has been awarded so far this year by Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise as part of the £100 million Green Jobs Fund and is expected to create and safeguard over 850 green jobs.

Speaking in a debate in Parliament, just transition minister Richard Lochhead confirmed that Professor Jim Skea will continue as Chair of the newly established Just Transition Commission, with the other members being announced next week.

Whilst some of the members will serve for the duration of this Parliament, others with fixed-term appointments will specialise on transition planning for particular areas, such as the Energy Just Transition Plan.

As part of a package of funding to support the transition, earlier, a £500 million Just Transition Fund will be established to support the north east and Moray as one of Scotland’s centres of excellence for the transition to a net-zero economy.

This ten-year regional fund will help create new opportunities for the estimated 70,000 workers currently supported by the oil and gas sector.

Mr Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government is wholly committed to a just transition to net-zero. The 2022-2023 Scottish Budget will outline how this Government will accelerate efforts by investing in new measures to end Scotland’s contribution to climate change and creating green jobs.

“I am pleased to see the first tranche of the Green Jobs funding announced today. The projects awarded funding to date demonstrate the exciting opportunities being created by the green revolution our economy is undergoing.

“Advice and scrutiny in our approach will be critical as our economy shifts and changes in response to the net zero transition. I look forward to confirming members of the new Just Transition Commission shortly, and having them fully staffed up and ready to start their important work in the new year.”