Mr Ruskell suggests some changes to deal with climate change might appear economically inefficient at first, but raising costs the consumers in the short term could bring about something that can be mainstreamed in long term.

David Satti from WICS (Water Industry Commission for Scotland ) says efforts are being made to move away from six-yearly list of projects towards a more dynamic and transparent processes.

There will be occasions where Scottish Water will want to pilot projects which might not be successful, but this is the right thing to do, he adds.

We want to create a regulatory environment that allows for more dynamic scrutiny of projects to support innovation, Mr Satti tells the committee.

Image source, bbc

Ms Beamish pivots to climate change mitigation.

Prof Parsons explains there is "a library of good ideas" to address this.

He points to the Smart Canal in Glasgow which shows good partnership working providing biodiversity and green spaces.

Scottish Water will look to develop more schemes like this.

The Labour MSP points out it would be helpful if more detailed information on this issue could be provided, citing an "inspiring" development in Inverness.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish asks how the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) assesses the affordability of Scottish Water.

David Satti from WICS explains this is a matter of government policy through its principles of charging.

Ms Beamish asks about customer vulnerability.

Citizens Advice is working with the Scottish government as it develops policy in this area, replies Mr Satti.

Image source, Scottish Water

Scottish Water says its investment programme will deliver over £3.9 billion of improvements to Scotland’s water and waste water infrastructure.

The company says there are currently 2,448 large and small scale maintenance and improvement projects in progress across our communities to improve drinking water quality, protect the environment and support growth.

In 2018/2019 Scottish Water says it invested £660 million upgrading essential treatment works, water mains, sewers and networks, building on more than £8 billion of investment undertaken since Scottish Water was formed in 2002.

Tory MSP Finlay Carson pivots to the "absolutely dreadful" reputation Scottish Water has in the south west of Scotland, citing a litany of complaints.

Mr Millican says he will look at all complaints and insists public satisfaction is improving across Scotland.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell highlights pollution problems impacting rivers, noting bathing water quality directives only drive investment in managing sewage at the coast.

Prof Simon Parsons says there are tightly agreed licenses with SEPA regarding waste waters going into rivers.

He also points to work with other organisations on raising awareness of pollution, such as not putting inappropriate items into the sewers (for example wet wipes).

Image source, bbc

Ms Martin asks about the impact of climate change and if it is at the forefront of Scottish Water's thinking.

Two of the three main drivers are climate change orientated, in terms of adaption and mitigation replies Mr Millican.

He cites the goal of reaching net emissions by 2040.

Image source, REtuers

In Scotland, drinking water and sewerage services are provided by Scottish Water, external, which is a publicly owned company.

Scottish Water operates within a regulatory framework and is accountable to Scottish Ministers who are in turn accountable to the Scottish Parliament.

Since May 2016, Scottish Water comes within the remit of the ECCLR Committee.

Details of Scottish Water’s current investment programme (2015-2021) can be found on their web-page, external.

Douglas Millican says Scottish Water is in the final stages of delivery of the 2015-2021 priorities and in the middle of planning for the period beginning April 2021.

We are on track in terms of timescales and final decisions should be made by April 2020, he adds.

Mr Millican explains the approach to be taken will be "quite different" with planning looking towards challenges going right out to the middle of the century.

Image source, bbc

The committee will now take evidence from—

• Scottish Water, external chief executive Douglas Millican
• Scottish Water, external strategic customer services planning director Professor Simon Parsons
• Business Stream, external chief executive Jo Dow
• Water Industry Commission for Scotland, external assistant director of network regulation David Satti

Read the committee papers here., external

Image source, bbc

Committee convener Gillian Martin asks if there will be a published review of the Scottish government's adaption plan.

"If someone asks of it we will do it," replies Mr Stark, adding there would need to be an official request though.

The CCC chief executive ends saying its very pleasing to see the way this plan is laid out now and he hopes it catalyses some proper action.

The evidence session draws to a close.

Image source, EPA

BACKGROUND: Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared a "climate emergency" in her speech to the SNP conference in April.

The SNP leader told delegates in Edinburgh she was inspired afte rmeeting young climate campaigners who had gone on strike from school.

Ms Sturgeon said "they are right", and pledged to "live up to our responsibility" to halt climate change.

She also announced what she described as the SNP's "biggest campaign on the economics of independence".

• What is a climate emergency?

Ms Beamish asks about supporting the most vulnerable to climate change and engaging them to become empowered.

Chris Stark says the Scottish government has been very good at raising the understanding of climate change.

But he says there are plenty of hidden impacts and simply telling people what is coming will not be enough.

We need the government to protect the most vulnerable, it is not enough to just raise awareness Mr Stark adds.

Image source, bbc

Claudia Beamish moves onto society and adaptation, where she says there has been mixed progress.

The Labour MSP asks the acid question about who actually pays for this: should it be the consumer, the taxpayer or business?

Those are political questions answers Baroness Brown.

She concedes thinking in the long term is not natural for governments and argues its about long term investment.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson wonders about digital infrastructure being listed as an area of high concern by the CCC.

He highlights telecommunications is reserved to the UK government and asks what role the Scottish government can play.

Baroness Brown explains this is an area of concern nationally and better connectivity will improve resilience.

She says the CCC is disappointed the UK government has not made it mandatory for providers to report on risk reviewing and planning for adaptation.

This area is extremely complex and we want assurance from the UK government that this is being reviewed, she adds.

Chris Stark accepts it is a reserved matter, but adds there is a devolved aspect and he is unaware of how the Scottish government has looked at resilience here.

Image source, Getty Images

Baroness Brown points out even in a 1.5 degrees celsius trajectory there will be change.

In every decision climate change must be factored in and we need to think about both the impact of a 2 degree rise and indeed a 4 degree rise, which is not happening at the moment, adds the CCC representative.

There are too many areas where "you don't have the teeth you need" she adds.

Image source, PA

The UK government must tell the public small, easy changes will not be enough to tackle climate change, warn experts.

Researchers from Imperial College London say we must eat less meat and dairy, swap cars for bikes, take fewer flights, and ditch gas boilers at home.

The report, seen by BBC Panorama, has been prepared for the Committee on Climate Change, which advises ministers how to cut the UK's carbon footprint.

It says an upheaval in our lifestyles is the only way to meet targets.

The government has passed a law obliging the country to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.

Read more here.

Chris Stark says he does not think the fundamental and inevitable results of climate change are being factored in.

There needs to be change in how we do policy across the piece, with flooding being an example of this, he adds.

"I don't blame the Scottish government any more than I do any other government around the world," he explains.

We're here to highlight the genuine risk in a non-alarmist way, Mr Stark says.

Baroness Brown highlights the need to built new homes to higher standards to meet future challenges, but adds there is a tension between this need and the urgent need for more houses.

She says new homes should be built with good insulation, triple glazed windows and ventilation which can deal with hotter temperatures, all of which require the appropriate building skills.

But adding all this to homes and testing to ensure high standards are met adds to timescales, she accepts.

The urgent need for housing also means there is a temptation to build them in places which we may regret in 50-100 years time due to a 1m rise in sea levels.

Baroness Brown insists decisions on developments must take account of adaptation.

We are seeing big declines in seabird populations and that is probably the start of the impacts of climate change, warns Kathryn Brown.

There is no other way to fix this than to improve the conditions of their habitats, she explains.