 I remind members of the Covid-related measures that are in place and that face coverings should be worn when moving around the chamber and across the Holyrood campus. The first item of business is general questions. Question 1 is from John Mason. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will give an assurance that Glasgow Kelvin and Clyde colleges will not be taken over by the City of Glasgow College in connection with the review of tertiary education. The Scottish Government accepts the Scottish funding council's review recommendation that the Glasgow College of Regional Board and their three assigned colleges explore other organisational options. There is no proposal for the City of Glasgow College to take over the other two colleges and we have no plans for such. I expect a recommendation from the SFC in the future of Glasgow College's regional board shortly. I find it encouraging and I just wonder if he would accept that there really are quite different roles for these colleges that the City of Glasgow is at a different level. It is aiming at a different clientele whereas Kelvin and Clyde are very much community-based and helping people who are far away from the educational background. What I would say to Mr Mason, I like the activity that each college is doing. I think that they make a distinct contribution. They are all engaged with their communities. All three colleges are doing well in the proportion of H.E. entrance from the 20 per cent quartile of the S.I.M.D areas that we are seeking to target. All of them are ahead in that regard, particularly Clyde and Kelvin colleges. Whatever recommendation comes from the SFC, I do not want to see the distinct contribution in the loss of community engagement happening and that is the manner in which I will approach these matters. 2. What action has the Scottish Government taken to support ecological status of Scotland's rivers and locks and rivers? Scotland's river basin management plan sets out the Scottish Government's continued commitment to a wide range of measures that are protecting and improving the ecological status of our rivers and locks. Actions already under way include ensuring that good agricultural practice is adopted and investment in public wastewater infrastructure to improve water quality. Achievement of the objective set-out in the plans is a shared responsibility between the Scottish Government, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, local authorities and other public bodies and regulated businesses such as Scottish Water, Agriculture, Fish Farms, Distilleries and Hydropower. Will the minister agree that the recent assessment by SIPA has found that Scottish rivers, locks, canals and burns are the worst state on record? Does the minister intend to bring forward urgent plans in order to address the stressful situation? It is not correct to say, as was reported on 22 October, that Scotland's rivers and locks are in the worst state on record. The number of water bodies awarded a bad overall ecological status by SIPA fell from 126 in 2018 to only 64 in 2019. SIPA's monitoring and assessment of the water environment shows that the number of rivers and locks rated as bad or poor due to pollution is at its lowest level ever. Just 1 per cent were classified in this way in 2019. The UK Government made a partial U-turn on allowing raw sewage to be dumped into rivers and coastal waters only after its MPs came under extreme criticism. Scotland undertakes around 80 per cent of the UK's tree planting and was one of the first nations in the world to declare a climate emergency. Does the minister therefore share my view that this SNP Government needs no instruction from the Tories on how to conduct itself when it comes to the environment? 87 per cent of our water environment is now at good water quality, and this is hard evidence that this Government has taken its environmental responsibilities seriously for many years. Willie Rennie There have been several instances of pollution in the river Eden in my constituency over recent years, with the death of many fish and the impact on wildlife as well. Does the minister think that SIPA has sufficient resources and authority to enforce the environmental law? Has she considered whether wildlife crime officers could have a role in this in addition? I am happy to meet the member to look into the matter further. Willie Coffey To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the climate tech industry. Minister Tom Arthur A vibrant tech sector is critical to our economic recovery and net zero ambitions. Through the implementation of the Scottish Technology Ecosystems Review, the Scottish Government is committed to creating a world-class technology ecosystem, enabling a pipeline of profitable, scalable tech businesses, including climate tech businesses. This year we have allocated £7 million to support the first-year implementation of the review. That includes establishing a national network of tech scalars, which will support 300 to 500 companies through the tech scalars programme. Other policy interventions include our recent artificial intelligence strategy, which set out an action to build on the success of our A.I. climate emergency challenge, which saw six companies develop their concepts to use A.I. to help to address the climate emergency. The Scottish Government is also supporting challenges through the SIPTEC 6, which explores the roles that tech can play in carbon sequestration, which is an important tool in getting to net zero. Willie Coffey In the innovation critical report by SCDI, BT, Scotland IS and the Royal Society, it tells us that up to 75 per cent of the emissions reductions that we need to get to net zero depend on technologies that are either immature, not deployed at scale or have not even been invented yet. The minister assured me that Scotland's tech industries, which have major strengths in climate tech, are getting the support that they need to help them to develop those solutions, not just for Scotland, but to contribute to the global efforts to get us to net zero. I thank Willie Coffey for that question and his consistent interest in this area. I agree with him absolutely that there is huge potential in this area. I think that there are two points that I would make. There is one supporting industry itself, and I made reference to that in my original answer with our tech scalars programme, but there is also supporting the industries that will use these technological interventions. We have, for example, committed more than £2 billion in capital investment over the course of this Parliament to deliver low-carbon and natural infrastructure. Climate tech cuts across a range of businesses, so there is support for businesses themselves and there is support for the wider mission to adjust transition to net zero, which will drive the economy for those particular tech startups. Question 4, Eleanor Whitham. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the measures that it has taken to protect and enhance the marine environment through no-take zones and marine protected areas. I thank the member for the question. The marine protected area network now covers 37 per cent of our seas following recent designations, including the Red Rocks and Long Gate urgent MPA for the critically endangered flapper skates. Most sites already have the required protective measures in place, and we have committed to putting in place further fisheries management measures on MPAs where required by March 2024. We have also committed to designating 10 per cent of our waters as highly protected marine areas by 2026. Those will provide a higher level of protection, providing for additional recovery and enhancement of the marine environment. Eleanor Whitham. I thank the minister for that answer. The cloud has led in establishing no-take zones under the current SNP Government. I understand that Ayrshire proposes to undertake a scoping exercise regarding a 30 per cent no-take zone along the eastern coastline of the cloud, which includes the coast of Carch, Cymde, Cundyn Valley. I would be grateful to the minister for advice on what supports this project can expect to receive from the Scottish Government, in line with COP26, endorsing Scotland's lead in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss through marine protected areas. The development of highly protected marine areas goes beyond no-take zones by providing for the strict control or exclusion of all human activities, not just fishing. The Scottish Government will be developing a policy framework for HPMAs in the coming month and will ensure that the wide-ranging perspectives of all marine stakeholders are taken into account throughout the selection and designation process. We would encourage all stakeholder interests with proposals to manage import inshore fisheries to develop those measures within the relevant regional inshore fisheries group. I would be very happy to meet Ms Whitham to discuss activity in the Ayrshire coast further. Kenneth Gibson. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. The only no-take zone in Scotland is, of course, my own constituency in Lamash Bay. I was just wondering what the difference is between a no-take zone and a highly protected marine area. The proposals for developing the details around highly protected marine areas are still under development. We are working on a policy framework for those HPMAs in the coming month. We absolutely need to make sure that a wide range of perspectives from all marine stakeholders are taken into account. I look forward to presenting that information to Parliament in the month ahead. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that bar environmental has received a £99 million fine for having not paid tax and disposed waste. Minister Tom Arthur. It would not be appropriate for Scottish ministers to comment on any individual tax dispute. The collection and management of the fully devolved taxis are a matter for revenue Scotland in its role as Scotland's independent tax authority. Sharon Dowie. I thank the minister for that answer. As he may know, bar provides waste management services for both east and south Ayrshire council. Due to the findings of the tribe, councils may have to provide more funding to bar to provide waste services as a company cannot operate under the terms of its previous contract. Can I ask what discussions the Scottish Government will have with both councils regarding the future of the company and waste management services in the area to ensure that the councils receive any extra funding that they require so that they do not impact on local services? I would just need to stress again to the member that it is not appropriate for Scottish ministers to comment on this matter. However, I would also wish to stress that CIPL works to ensure the safe management of all licensed landfill sites to protect the environment and communities. Fiona Hyslop. To ask the Scottish Government what role Scotland is playing during COP26 in relation to innovation and economic activity. Achieving global climate change targets requires new ways of thinking about economic policy, finance and investment, as well as new instruments and interventions to make the change. We are working with partners and businesses from Scotland and around the world to deliver a COP26 programme that will accelerate change across those areas. Through a programme of events, ministerial and business engagements, we will showcase our strengths in innovation, trade and investment to a global audience. For example, Scotland's climate ambition zone is hosting a programme of events during the COP26 fortnight, which is putting spotlight on Scotland as a world leader in sectors such as decarbonising heat, circular economy, hydrogen and green skills. Further, in association with partners such as the Michelin Scotland Innovation Park in Dundee, we are highlighting innovations in the area of low-carbon transport, a key enabler for a net-zero economy. We will use COP26 as a platform to showcase and attract investment into Scotland's green investment portfolio, which will bring together market-ready projects worth £3 billion by 2022. We are participating in events covering natural capital, green ethical finance and finance for nature, providing the platform to address the crucial issues of financing, a fair and just transition to net-zero. By sharing our experiences across these sectors, we intend to galvanise action in the business community to help others on their journey to net-zero. COP26 is not an end in itself, however— Minister, can I please ask you to draw those remarks to a close? I certainly will, and we will build upon this opportunity through delivering our national strategy for economic transformation. Fiona Hyslop I thank the minister for that very extensive answer to what was a very open question. Can the minister say what the Scottish Government is doing to promote green hydrogen innovation specifically at COP and what action is being taken to advance the pace, scale and role of green hydrogen in our energy mix in the drive to cut carbon emissions? I am grateful to Fiona Hyslop for that supplementary answer. I will try to succinctly but to comprehensively answer it. The Scottish Government will shortly publish its five-year hydrogen action plan, which will set out the actions that the Scottish Government will take to support Scottish supply chain activity and drive the development of the low-cost hydrogen capability to meet that 5 gigawatt ambition by 2030. The Scottish Government's upcoming hydrogen action plan will be supported by a £500 million programme of investment to help to accelerate the development of the hydrogen economy in Scotland. The Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise has developed a series of hydrogen events during COP to showcase Scotland's expertise and innovation in hydrogen technology. We will be seeking opportunities during COP26 to strengthen our existing international partnerships and seeking new collaborations to accelerate the growth of our shared hydrogen economies. Question 7, Michael Marra. To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for active ventilation in classroom now that its inspection programme has been completed. Cabinet Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville. Guidance on reducing risks in schools makes clear the on-going approach to ventilation that local authorities and schools should adopt. This guidance includes advice on identifying and implementing local approaches that balance need for fresh air in key parts of the school estate with the maintenance of adequate temperatures. Following completion of local authorities, initial CO2 monitoring activities it is expected that CO2 monitoring will continue to play a role in supporting the implementations of the approaches set out in the guidance. We are continuing to work with stakeholders, including the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, and the Scottish Heads of Property Services to ensure that suitable longer-term strategies are in place across all local authorities. Michael Marra. I thank the minister for that answer and I note the statistics that she set out to the education committee. The Scottish Government has taken over a year and spent £10 million of taxpayers' money on alarms to let teachers know when to open the window, with no real regard for the sustainable active ventilation systems that we need. Real action would make schools safer environments by reducing Covid transmission rates and would also reduce education disruption. Can the minister tell us how many classrooms failed inspection and what remedial action she would expect to now be taken? I point to the fact that the Scottish Government gave £10 million for local authorities recently, but that is in addition to the £90 million that was given previously in the year for such remedial actions, including dealing with co2 monitoring exercises. The assessment outcomes that have came very much from the local authorities have reported back that the remedial actions for those in the main have been very small. They have required to look at, for example, changes to repairing windows or no obstructions to ensure maximum opening. There have been very limited requirements for any further improvements than that, but where they have been required to be undertaken, they will be undertaken by local authorities. Of course, the Scottish Government continues to be in close contact with local authorities to ensure that that monitoring is on-going and that the remedial action is undertaken. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the 2019 exports statistics. Through our export growth plan and trading nation, the Scottish Government is focused on supporting the growth of exports from 20 per cent to 25 per cent of GDP by 2029. The export statistics of Scotland 2019 show strong growth in Scotland's exports before the economic shock of the global pandemic and the damage caused by the UK Government's reckless approach to EU exit. In 2019, Scotland's total exports of goods and services increased by 4.3 per cent to £87.1 billion, including increases in the international exports of goods and services by 3.4 per cent to £35.1 billion and exports to the rest of the UK by 5 per cent to £52 billion. The growth in exports to the rest of the UK was driven by an increase in electricity exports, helping to keep the lights on in England and Wales. More recent HMRC statistics only underline the negative impact of EU exit. Scottish goods exports fell by 24 per cent in the latest year to June 2021, compared to the equivalent period in 2019. We welcome those statistics showing a 3.4 per cent increase in Scottish exports, however, those statistics also show an increase in the proportion of goods exported to the rest of the UK, with the figure now increasing to 5 per cent, £52 billion, which shows that 60 per cent of exports from Scotland. Given the increasing importance of the UK market, does the minister agree that any potential trade barriers between Scotland and the rest of the UK would risk significant economic damage? Presiding Officer, I do not know if international trade is the strongest truth for the Conservatives to lead on, but let me see it as it is. In a note of consensus, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are important trade partners for Scotland, and I am sure that the member will remain important trade partners for Scotland once we achieve independence.