Conveners quiz Nicola Sturgeon

1. Holyrood's committee conveners question First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on her legislative programme
2. Portfolio questions focuses on culture, tourism and external affair, to be followed by questions on the justice brief
3. Scottish Labour lead a debate entitled ‘Supporting Local Communities’ focusing on fuel poverty
4. This evening's members debate is led by SNP MSP Angus Macdonald and will examines the ‘State of Nature 2016 Report’

That's all from us this evening

PA

That's all form us on Holyrood Live for Wednesday 16 November 2016.

We'll be back tomorrow morning.

Have a good evening. 

Last word on the Toblerone scandal....

'Without action on climate change we will not achieve our goals in biodiversity'

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse says this has been a welcome opportunity to debate Scotland's biodiversity.

BBC

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse

Mr Wheelhouse says climate change is a real and present threat to biodiversity.

He says the Scottish government is making every effort to tackle climate change.

The minister says: "Without action on climate change we will not achieve our goals in biodiversity."

Communities have been fighting green belt battles for generations - Scottish Greens MSP

BBC

Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell

Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell says the value of nature is beyond measure and future generations should not be deprived.

Mr Ruskell says there must be a better understanding of the health of nature. 

The Scottish Greens MSP says communities have been fighting green belt battles for generations. 

Mr Ruskell says, as well as asking ourselves what we can do for nature, we should think about what nature can do to us. 

Labour MSP says the maintenance and restoration of our ecosystem is vital

bbc

Labour MSP David Stewart

Labour MSP David Stewart says the State of Nature 2016 report allows us to begin to understand even more the stat of our nature.

Mr Stewart says the report is a wake up call.

The Labour MSP says the maintenance and restoration of our ecosystem is vital.

He says: "We do not own our environment we keep it in trust for our children."

'We must limit man's destructive influence on our landscapes'

BBC

Scottish Conservative MSP John Scott

Scottish Conservative MSP John Scott says we most focus on rebuilding habitats.

Mr Scott says we have lost 44% of Scotland's natural peat bog.

He says he believes the right course of action is being pursued but there needs to be more of it. 

Mr Scott says "we must limit man's destructive influence on our landscapes".  

Scottish Labour motion as amended by the government agreed to

SNP MSP says genuine partnership working is required to make progress in biodiversity

bbc

SNP MSP Graeme Dey says genuine partnership working is required to make progress in biodiversity.

Mr Dey says it is hugely concerning 504 species are at risk of becoming extinct.

He says the species champions in the parliament must play their part in going forward.

Scottish Environment Link

And here are those Species Champions

One in ten of all Scotland's species are at the risk of extinction

BBC

Scottish Labour MSP Claudia Beamish

Scottish Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says one in ten of Scotland's species are at the risk of extinction.

Ms Beamish says climate change and human activity are damaging the habitat of marine species.

Greens unhappy with lack of Labour backing in fuel poverty debate

'Scotland is facing a bio-diversity crisis'

Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden says the report should act as a wake-up call for Scotland.

Mr Golden says we need more leadership and action on the ground to protect Scotland's wildlife.

BBC

Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden

He says almost 10% of Scotland's wildlife is at the risk of extinction. 

The Tory MSP says more than half of all species studied have declined since the 1970's.

He says Scotland are in the bottom fifth of all countries assessed. 

"Scotland is facing a bio-diversity crisis," he says. 

SNP MSP calls for 'well-planned, targeted and adequately resourced conservation action'

Mr MacDonald says State of Nature 2016 shows that over the long term, 53% of species declined with 40% showing strong declines.

BBC

The SNP MSP says there must be well-planned, targeted and adequately resourced conservation action to turn around the fortunes of Scotland’s wildlife and nature.

He says in his motion the State of Nature partnership includes: 

• Bat Conservation Trust 
• Buglife
• Bumblebee Conservation Trust
• Butterfly Conservation Scotland
• Froglife
• Marine Conservation Society
• National Trust for Scotland
• Plantlife
• RSPB Scotland
• Scottish Wildlife Trust
• Whale and Dolphin Conservation
• Woodland Trust 
• WWF Scotland

State of Nature 2016 project objectives

PA

• To work in collaboration with partners to assess the State of Nature in the UK, UKOTs and Crown Dependencies and to diagnose the causes of wildlife decline.
• To demonstrate how the conservation sector is tackling wildlife declines by highlighting past successful conservation projects that have benefited habitats and species.
• To showcase the fantastic job that the thousands of dedicated and expert volunteers do in gathering the data that makes up the State of Nature 2016 report and to create interest and inspire individuals to take action to reverse declines.

Here is SNP MSP Angus MacDonald's motion

Scottish Parliament

The State of Nature 2016 report

RSPB

The State of Nature report brings together data and expertise from over 50 organisations, providing an update on how wildlife is faring across the UK, and its seas, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.

It follows the State of Nature report in 2013. 

Member's debate: The State of Nature 2016 report

SNP MSP Angus MacDonald will now lead a debate around the State of Nature 2016 report.

Scottish Labour motion as amended by the government is agreed to

The Labour motion as amended is agreed to with 94 MSPs backing it and 29 against.

Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament

Scottish Greens amendment is rejected

The Scottish Greens amendment is rejected with 10 MSPs voting for it and 113 against.

Scottish Parliament

Scottish Conservative amendment is rejected

The Scottish Conservative amendment is rejected with 39 MSPs backing it and 84 against.

Scottish Parliament

Scottish government amendment is agreed to

The Scottish government amendment is agreed to with 93 MSPs backing it and 29 against.

Scottish Parliament