Carbon emission levy funds breakdown: FOI release

Information requested

1. In each of the past five years, how many ministerial journeys were undertaken by (a) planes and (b) cars.
2. In each of the past five years, how many miles were travelled on ministerial journeys using (a) planes and (b) cars.
3. In each of the past five years, how much was collected from the carbon emissions levy on ministerial business flights?
4. Please provide a breakdown of what funds from the carbon emissions levy have been used for over the past five years.

Response

Question 1
The information you have requested for the period 18 September 2014 to 30 April 2019 available from https://www.gov.scot/publications/?publicationTypes=transparency-data&page=1.
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(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. 
An exemption(s) under section(s) 27 (1) of FOISA applies to some the information you have requested for the period 1 May 2019 to 18 September 2019. This exemption can be applied when it is the intention of the relevant Scottish public authority to publish the information no later than 12 weeks after the date on which the request was made.
Question 2
We do not hold information about the number of miles travelled on Ministerial journeys by plane or car. Section 17(1) of FOISA (information not held) requires the Scottish Government to notify you if it does
not have the information you requested. The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for because we do not hold specific information about the number of miles travelled on ministerial journeys by air or by car.
Question 3
We do not hold specific information about the carbon emissions levy collected from Ministerial flights.
However, the carbon emissions levy is applied to all journeys made by Ministers by air as follows:
Domestic – £5 per journey
European – £6 per journey
International – £15 per journey

Section 17(1) of FOISA (information not held) requires the Scottish Government to notify you if it does not have the information you requested. The Scottish Government does not have the information you
have asked for because we do not hold specific information about the carbon emissions levy collected from Ministerial flights.Section 17(1) of FOISA (information not held) requires the Scottish Government to notify you if it does not have the information you requested. The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for because we do not hold specific information about the carbon emissions levy collected from Ministerial flights.
Question 4
In the past five years, the carbon emissions levy has been used to fund, or contribute towards:

• a light-up Malawi project, £200,000.
• the installation of cycle racks at Victoria Quay in Edinburgh, £1,285.51.
• costs to install solar panels at St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, £214,738.27.

About FOI

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