# Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy

The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy (Scottish Gaelic: Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Net Zero agus Cumhachd), commonly referred to as the Net Zero Secretary (Scottish Gaelic: Rùnaire na h-Eaconamaidh), is a Scottish Government Cabinet position with responsibility for the Net Zero and energy (where not reserved) policy of Scotland. The incumbent is Màiri McAllan who has held the brief in various forms since March 2023. She is currently on maternity leave, with the Minister for Climate Action, Gillian Martin filling the role on an interim basis, with McAllan expected to return in March 2025.

## History

The role was first titled Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, with the initial holder being Michael Matheson, who was appointed in June 2018 following a reshuffle of the Second Sturgeon government.
Following the formation of the First Yousaf government in March 2023, the Net Zero and Energy role was divided. Màiri McAllan was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, whilst Neil Gray was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy. In June 2023, McAllan's title was retitled as Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition.
After the February 2024 reshuffle of Yousaf's government the role was merged with the Economy portfolio, to create the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy.
John Swinney renamed the role as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy in his government with Màiri McAllan appointed to the role.

## Responsibilities

The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy is responsible for:
* climate crisis and environmental protection
* decarbonisation of buildings
* Deposit Return and waste issues
* Drinking Water Quality Regulator, private water, Hydro Nation
* emissions trading schemes
* energy systems
* environmental quality
* flood prevention and coastal erosion
* Future Generations Commissioner
* green industrial strategy (jointly with Deputy First Minister)
* green skills
* Heat and Energy Efficiency Scotland agency
* international climate change
* Just Transition Fund
* marine planning
* nature recovery targets and NatureScot
* Net Zero policy (cross-government co-ordination)
* oil and gas
* physical and marine environment
* Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
* sustainable development
* water quality and Scottish Water
* Zero Waste Scotland

## List of Officeholders

As is typical of Scottish government roles, the Net Zero and Energy portfolio has gone through many iterations since its inception. The incumbent minister is Màiri McAllan.
| Name | Name | Entered Office | Left Office | Party | First Minister |
| Role formed and combined with Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport |||||||
| | Michael Matheson | 20 May 2021 | 29 March 2023 | Scottish National Party | Nicola Sturgeon |
| Role split with and combined with Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition |||||||
| | Màiri McAllan | 29 March 2023 | 13 June 2023 | Scottish National Party | Humza Yousaf |
| Role retitled with and combined with Transport portfolio Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition |||||||
| | Màiri McAllan | 13 June 2023 | 8 February 2024 | Scottish National Party | Humza Yousaf |
| Role reshuffled with Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Role separated from Cabinet Secretary for Transport Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy |||||||
| | Màiri McAllan | 8 February 2024 | 8 May 2024 | Scottish National Party | Humza Yousaf |
| Economy responsibility reshuffled to Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy |||||||
| | Màiri McAllan | 8 May 2024 | Incumbent | Scottish National Party | John Swinney |