Will Webster of Oil and Gas UK says the first phase of the energy transition has proven rapid progress can be achieved if the targets are aligned with what is possible and consumer acceptability.

Convener Gillian Martin asks about preparation work being undertaken by the oil and gas sector.

Mr Webster says a vision for the next stage of investment in the North Sea has been developed.

We are not intending to maintain production at current levels but we will manage a decrease, he adds.

The Oil and Gas UK representatives says there is a need for a flexible approach to account for technological development, consumer acceptability and political will.

This flexibility is allowed for in the bill, he says.

Image source, bbc

Elizabeth Leighton of the Existing Homes Alliance Scotland explains her organisation is an alliance trying to improve housing stock in terms of climate change and poverty.

Ms Leighton argues that the bill should include measures that would progress action on energy efficiency.

She says a statutory framework for energy efficiency should be included in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Bill, external.

The Scottish government will make a statement on energy efficiency on Thursday afternoon, join us for extensive coverage by clicking here.

The planet's climate has constantly been changing over geological time.

The global average temperature today is about 15C, though geological evidence suggests it has been much higher and lower in the past.

However, the current period of warming is occurring more rapidly than many past events.

Scientists are concerned that the natural fluctuation, or variability, is being overtaken by a rapid human-induced warming that has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate.

The second panel involves:

• Dr Diana Casey of the Mineral Products Association, external
• Professor Paul Jowitt, external from Heriot Watt University
• Elizabeth Leighton of the Existing Homes Alliance Scotland, external
• Fabrice Leveque from Scottish Renewables, external
• Will Webster from Oil and Gas UK, external

Image source, bbc

How should the word achievable be defined, asks SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson.

Ms Hanrahan explains the IPCC has six layers of what achievable means.

The big question is if there is enough political will to put this in place, says the WWF Scotland representative.

She explains a lot of the CCC's work has been on the technological feasibility, however feasibility is an evolutionary concept.

Teresa Anderson of Action Aid International says she would go with the IPCC model of achievability which is what can be done.

Jim Densham from Scottish Environment LINK argues agriculture, farming and land use is seen as a hard area to reduce emissions.

He calls for the government to do more and show leadership in tackling this.

Siri Pantzar from 2050 Climate Group stresses the need to have credible early targets.

Alan Munro of Young Friends of the Earth Scotland emphasises the "moral urgency" of the issue.

Caroline Rance says there was a roll back of ambition in the final plan in the bill than was in the draft.

Interim targets are necessary to meet the urgency called for by the IPCC, says Teresa Anderson.

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish government has stopped short of committing to a target for Scotland to become carbon-neutral by 2050.

Its draft Climate Change Bill, just published, sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by the middle of the century.

Although the bill pledges to achieve a 100% cut, no date is set for the target.

Environmental groups say ministers are missing an opportunity.

Read more.

Alan Munro from Young Friends of the Earth Scotland expresses disappointment that 2030 targets have changed very little.

He suggests this is a failure of government to acknowledge the crisis we are facing.

It also means to burden for radical transformation is being passed on to young people to deal with in the future.

Other panelists suggest net zero should be reached by 2050 "at the latest".

Image source, Source:!PCC

Green MSP Mark Ruskell asks when a net zero greenhouse gas emission target should be set.

Caroline Rance from Friends of the Earth Scotland explains that the bill sets out clearly what is meant by "net zero" citing it as a 100% emissions reduction in all greenhouse gases.

Ms Rance says we should aim to reach net zero by 2040, however the most important target is cutting emissions by at least 77% by 2030.

Siri Pantzar from 2050 Climate Group says the crucial part is the net zero target must be on the face of the bill.

Image source, SPL

Asked about carbon capture and storage, Action Aid's Teresa Anderson says it is being hailed as a magical future technology that probably is not going to deliver anything like is being promised.

Gina Hanrahan of WWF Scotland says CCS is no longer needed in the power sector due to recent improvements.

But there may be a role for CCS in hard-to-treat areas, she adds, including industrial sectors.

Scottish Environment LINK's Jim Densham adds we need to do all we can now rather than relying on future technologies.

Image source, bbc

Ms Hanrahan says we must not leave anyone behind in this transition.

The WWF Scotland representative asks if there is a role for the CCC (Committee on Climate Change) going forward.

SNP MSP Angus MacDonald asks if a net zero target should have been set in the bill.

Jim Densham from Scottish Environment LINK points out 99% of people did want a net zero target, among those who responded to the consultation.

"Why is that net zero not on the face of the bill?" he asks.

"It clearly should be."

Siri Pantzar from 2050 Climate Group agrees, adding that is something the Scottish public wants to drive forward.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant asks about changing behaviours without penalising people that are unable to take action, pointing to the prohibitive cost of electric cars as an example.

Social justice and equality must be at the core of any response, says Prof Tahseen Jafry from the Centre for Climate Justice.

We need to be realistic in how we achieve behavioural change and make sure there are support structure in place, she adds.

Jim Densham from Scottish Environment LINK says climate change is not a future threat, it is something that is happening right now.

We want net-zero by 2050 to avoid the catastrophic impact on many species, he adds.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell asks about analysis of the impact on Scotland specifically.

Mr Densham says the North Sea has already warmed by two degrees, which has already impacted the food chain.

Image source, Getty images

The Scottish government is to seek fresh independent advice on its climate change targets after the latest warning on rising global temperatures.

An international report, externalhas said the world is currently heading for a 3C rise, way above the 1.5C target.

A coalition of charities has called on Scottish ministers to strengthen the forthcoming Climate Change Bill.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said action was a "massive priority" but Scotland's record was "exemplary".

• Scientists urge rapid change to curb warming
• Campaigners urge Scottish ministers to 'up their game'