Summary
The Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity is a junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a result, the minister does not attend the Scottish Cabinet but reports directly to the First Minister of Scotland. The only individual who has held the post is Lorna Slater, who was appointed in August 2021 after the Bute House Agreement.[1] Following the dissolution of the Bute House Agreement on 25 April 2024 the post was abolished.
History edit
The office was created in August 2021 alongside the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights after the Scottish Government agreed a power-sharing deal with the Scottish Green Party. Following the dissolution of the Bute House Agreement on 25 April 2024 the post was abolished.
Overview edit
Responsibilities edit
The specific responsibilities of the minister are:[2]
- Green Industrial Strategy
- green skills
- circular economy
- Zero Waste Scotland
- nature recovery targets
- NatureScot
- biodiversity (along with the Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform)
- national parks and natural heritage
- plant health
- Serving as a member of Cabinet Sub-Committee on Climate Emergency
List of office holders edit
Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity edit | ||||||
| Name | Portrait | Assumed office | Left office | Party | First Minister | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorna Slater | 
|
30 August 2021 | 25 April 2024 | Scottish Green Party | Nicola Sturgeon Humza Yousaf | |