Publication - FOI/EIR release

COP26 climate summit correspondence: FOI release

Published: 26 May 2020
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Part of: Environment and climate change, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202000012689
Date received: 5 March 2020
Date responded: 20 May 2020

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Information requested

“Could you please provide copies of any correspondence since 1 January 2019 between the UK and Scottish governments or their representatives relating to the holding and organisation of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, along with any emails, memos, report, or other recorded information between officials or ministers within the Scottish Government relating to the holding and organisation of the summit."

Following clarification, you refined your request to ask for the following:
“I am looking for correspondence which shows the amount of information that the UK government gave the Scottish government about the bid to hold COP26 in Glasgow, correspondence between the governments in relation to the Scottish government’s decision to book the Glasgow Science Centre for the duration of the event, and any correspondence which shows the UK government trying to sideline the Scottish government from involvement in the events of COP26.”

Response

I attach a copy of the information you requested at ANNEX A. I have put the documents and emails in to a table. I have redacted the names and telephone numbers of staff members below Deputy Director level.

Some of the information you have requested in relation to correspondence about the Glasgow Science Centre is available here. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.
Whilst our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exception under the following regulations apply:

Section 25: Information otherwise accessible.
Section 32(1)(a): International Relations
Section 38(1)(b): Personal Information

The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex B to this letter.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.