Holyrood 471 / 6 September 2021

The Green Issue: including interviews with Scottish Greens co-leader and recently appointed minister, Lorna Slater, as well as the UK's climate champion, Nigel Topping. Plus a look ahead to the SNP's September conference.

3 Editor’s note
If this government runs its full term, the nationalists will have been in charge for nearly 20 years. Two decades. More than enough time to transform a nation

5 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

6 Talking Point
The decision to vaccinate children is fraught with complexities

8 In Context
A look at the recently published women’s health plan

10 Political Spotlight: A new green deal
Nicola Sturgeon says the cooperation agreement is a “leap of faith,” but that’s more the case for the Greens than the SNP

14 Cover Story: Lorna Slater
The Scottish Greens co-leader says her party is “annoying all the right people”

20 Overview: COP26 countdown
World leaders gather in Glasgow for COP26 in just two-months’ time seeking answers to climate change

26 Focus: Energy transition
Cambo is the next big question on the UK’s climate journey

30 Interview: Nigel Topping
The UK’s high level climate action champion on the outdoors, COP26 and influencing the future

33 Feature: SNP conference
The First Minister may be in for an easier time this year, but questions over indyref2 are still to be answered

36 Event Preview
Looking ahead to Holyrood’s COP26 Fringe Festival

38 Getting to Know You
Green MSP Ariane Burgess on working with the Rolling Stones before life in politics

40 Comment
James Mitchell on a political deal which fails to live up to the hype

41 Pets
Pam Duncan-Glancy introduces Tony the dog

42 Diary
Heckling hens and Edinburgh holiday options

43 Last Word
Sketch: Dominic Raab defends his holiday

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