THIS is a challenging moment for the Scottish Government as the Bute House Agreement ends, a political alliance reflecting voters’ aspirations in Holyrood’s 2021 elections.

Climate change acceleration has led to a crunch point. Net Zero Minister Màiri McAllan reaffirmed the Government’s commitments to achieving net zero by 2045, but charting annual targets to 2030 – which had cross-party support – was no longer feasible.

I was elected to Holyrood in 2021, supported by many energised by Greta Thunberg’s climate protest action and the movement it sparked. Often mocked or patronised, Greta and fellow young activists lodged climate change in the public mind as conditions were rapidly deteriorating.

Supporting Màiri McAllan’s recalibration of the strategy and proposed new climate action measures, I recall words ascribed to an influential economist who defended changing his position by saying: “When my information changes, I change my mind. What do you do?”

Reports last week showed global and local climate change. Ecuador – GDP between Kuwait and Slovakia – is impacted by drought caused by South Pacific warming. Hydroelectric reservoirs are low; taps run dry; power is rationed; manufacturing and trade stop because machines (including credit card terminals) need electricity to work.

In Dubai, aircraft took off as waves lapped their wheels on rain-deluged runways. Closer to home, analysis showed erosion took seven metres in just one year from Montrose Golf Links. Consultants Dynamic Coast have reported that Storm Babet caused Musselburgh five years’ worth of erosion in just two days. When BBC News reported on the Scottish Government’s climate change policy adjustments, its video-clip featured Gullane’s dramatic coastal erosion. East Lothian’s sustainable future depends on government policy reacting to the situation as it is now, not as envisaged even five years ago.

East Lothian constituents will have seen the charges laid against the SNP’s former CEO. As this is a police matter, I can’t comment, except to say that some voters may feel shocked or let down. Police Scotland’s investigation of this party matter has taken nearly three years so far, and a distinguished KC anticipates the relevant issues might not be resolved until 2026. The priorities now must be transparency, fairness and full accountability for any wrongdoing. This continuing investigation will not deter Holyrood’s representative democracy and the Scottish Government from working in the best interests of the people of Scotland.