A partnership agreement to establish two Green Freeports in Scotland has been reached between Scottish and UK Ministers.
Both governments have agreed to establish a joint applicant prospectus, with Ministers and officials from both the Scottish and UK Government having an equal say throughout the assessment and selection process.
The applicants in Scotland will be required to contribute towards a just transition to net-zero emissions by 2045, delivering net-zero benefits and creating new green jobs.
Furthermore, applicants in Scotland are required to set out how they will support high-quality employment opportunities that offer good salaries and conditions, and how fair work practices will be embedded in the Green Freeport area.
Ministers have agreed that a joint offer set out in a prospectus offers the maximum benefits for the Scottish economy as both governments will be able to deliver tax reliefs and other incentives through a combination of devolved and reserved powers.
As a result of the recent negotiations, UK Ministers are expected to provide up to £52m (€62.1m) in seed funding to help establish Green Freeports in Scotland which is in line with funding offered to Freeports across England.
Scottish Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said: “I am pleased we have been able to reach an agreement on a joint approach that recognises the distinct needs of Scotland’s economy and enshrines the Scottish Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero and embedding fair work practices through public investment.
“The Scottish Government will have an equal say on all bids, and will expect bidders to adhere to fair work practices including payment of the Real Living Wage.
“Scotland has a rich history of innovative manufacturers and so as we look to grasp the many opportunities of achieving net-zero, the establishment of internationally competitive clusters of excellence will help us create new green jobs, deliver a just transition and support our economic transformation.
“We can only seize Scotland’s economic potential if we create secure, sustainable and satisfying jobs that also help build a fairer, more prosperous economy for everyone.
“That is my absolute priority and establishing Green Freeports will be integral to achieving this.”
UK Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said: ”This is a truly exciting moment for Scotland, and I am delighted we will be working together with the Scottish Government to set up two new Green Freeports.
“Green Freeports help inject billions into the local economy, while levelling-up by creating jobs for local people, and opportunities for people all over the UK to flourish.
“By collaborating using opportunities like Green Freeports we can work to level-up the whole of the UK and bring benefits and opportunities to communities that need it most.”
Today’s announcement that the UK and Scottish governments intend to establish two green freeports in Scotland has been warmly welcomed by the Opportunity Cromarty Firth (OCF) consortium.
OCF believes the creation of such a zone on the Firth would maximise local and Scotland-wide benefits from a pipeline of renewable energy projects and place the Highlands at the heart of the drive towards net-zero.
The consortium is backed by port owners Port of Cromarty Firth, Global Energy Group, Highland Resources and Port of Inverness alongside a dozen regional businesses, public sector organisations and academic bodies.
Speaking on behalf of the Opportunity Cromarty Firth consortium, Port of Cromarty Firth chief executive Bob Buskie, said: “The decision to establish two Scottish Green Freeports is excellent news for Scotland and the UK.
“We are delighted the Scottish and UK governments have worked together on a solution which will play an important part in the process of levelling up across the UK, attracting investment and encouraging innovation in the manufacturing sector.
“The award of green freeport status will ensure the successful bidder’s ability to compete on a level playing field with their counterparts in the rest of the UK.
“That is a key aspiration of the businesses and organisations that have been working closely together for the benefit of the region in the Opportunity Cromarty Firth consortium.”