To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its efforts to develop a world-leading green hydrogen sector. (S6O-03772)

Hydrogen is a key part of our net zero journey, and we remain committed to developing a world-leading green hydrogen sector in Scotland. We continue to engage with hydrogen projects across Scotland, working with them to develop their production, offtake and export capabilities. The levers that are available to the United Kingdom Government, in particular with regard to production, regulation and trade, are critical to ensuring that Scottish companies benefit from domestic and global market opportunities. We continue to work with UK counterparts to ensure that the Scottish hydrogen sector is best positioned to take forward that critical work to support meeting our net zero targets.

Given that a successful transition to a green hydrogen economy would be transformative in the race to net zero, does the minister agree that, in order to meet the costs of that transition, the Labour Government must reverse its abandonment of the £28 billion green investment pledge and step up to meet its ambitions for the sector?

In Scotland, we are creating the right conditions to realise the opportunities that the just transition to net zero presents for our workers and for our economy. Our “Green Industrial Strategy”, which was published earlier this month, sets out how we are creating an environment that encourages such investment, including in hydrogen. As the member suggests, we are limited in the fiscal levers that we are able to deploy to support those ambitions in Scotland, and we would absolutely welcome further investment by the UK Government.

What plans are there to use hydrogen in the rail network?

I am not in a position to talk in detail about future legislation, nor am I in a position to talk knowledgeably about the issue that the member raises, but I will correspond with him.

That concludes portfolio questions on net zero, energy and transport. There will be a brief pause before we move on to the next item of business, to allow front-bench teams to change positions.