COP28 attendance costs and information: FOI release

Information requested

1. When it was decided to participate in this how many people from Scotland were dispatched to Dubai on a mission to source suppliers hotels and for how long etc?

2. How many of these "sorties" took place and how much did it cost to set up?

3. At what cost to the public purse by way of flights first class or ordinary class, hotel expenses and allowances etc?

4. What were the costs involved in sending delegates to the actual conference refer above dates? The same criteria applies as before how many flights first class etc hotels expenses etc?

5. How much was spent in entertainment during the visit meeting delegates etc from other countries?

6. How many people are still employed on this project?

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

I have taken each of your questions in turn and where held, I have provided the information you have asked for. Questions in which Section 27(1) of FOI(S)A applies to, are those that will be answered within the proactive release on COP28, which the Scottish Government aims to publish within 12 weeks from the date your request was received.

1. When it was decided to participate in this how many people from Scotland were dispatched to Dubai on a mission to source suppliers hotels and for how long etc? 

Following the decision to participate in the event no officials went to the UAE prior to the Scottish Government COP28 visit to source suppliers or hotels. Accommodation in the UAE for Scottish Ministers and Government officials were booked online from Scotland, prior to COP28 attendance, based on advice received from the UK Government.

2. How many of these "sorties" took place and how much did it cost to set up? 

N/A.

3. At what cost to the public purse by way of flights first class or ordinary class, hotel expenses and allowances etc?

N/A.

4. What were the costs involved in sending delegates to the actual conference refer above dates [30 Nov – 12 Dec 2024]? The same criteria applies as before how many flights first class etc hotels expenses etc?  

An exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA applies to this question.

5. How much was spent in entertainment during the visit meeting delegates etc from other countries? 

• The Multilevel Action and Urbanisation Pavilion opening ceremony on the 30th of November cost Scottish Government £516.24 on hospitality.
• The C40 Reception at Multilevel Action and Urbanisation Pavilion on 2 December cost the Scottish Government £1,505.70 on hospitality.

Total: £2,021.94

6. How many people are still employed on this project? 

The co-ordination and follow up activities of COP28 are part of the day to business of Scottish Government civil servants. Therefore, costs and follow up activities are embedded in civil servant's job role, and there were no officials employed specifically for COP.

Section 27(1) – information intended for future publication

An exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested because we aim to publish that information within 12 weeks of the date of your request. We consider that it is reasonable to withhold the information until that date, rather than release some of this information before the planned publication date.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release due to public interest in COP28 and this will be met by our planned publication. In the meantime, there is a greater public interest in taking the time necessary to ensure the information has been properly collated and checked before it is published as planned. Also, we see no public interest in disrupting our programme of work to release the information ahead of the intended publication date.

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.