Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs
Scottish Government cabinet position
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs is a Scottish Government Cabinet position with responsibility for the Net Zero and environmental policy of Scotland. The incumbent is Gillian Martin who has held the environmental brief since June 2025. She also previously served as Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy while her predecessor Mairi McAllan was on maternity leave between July 2024 and June 2025.[2]
- Cabinet Secretary (within Scottish Parliament)
- Climate Action and Energy Secretary (informal and only within Scotland)
- Scottish Climate Action and Energy Secretary (outwith Scotland)
| Scotland Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs | |
|---|---|
| Scottish Gaelic: Rùnaire a' Chaibineit airson Gnìomh Clìomaid agus Cùisean Dùthchail | |
| |
| Scottish Government Scottish Cabinet | |
| Style |
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| Member of | |
| Reports to | |
| Seat | Edinburgh |
| Appointer | First Minister (following approval from Scottish Parliament) |
| Inaugural holder |
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| Formation | 20 May 2021 |
| Salary | £126,452 per annum (2024)[1] (including £72,196 MSP salary) |
| Website | www |
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.[3] In June 2023, McAllan's title was retitled as Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition.[4]
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.[5]
In May 2024, John Swinney renamed the role as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy in his government with Màiri McAllan appointed to the role. Between July 2024 and June 2025 Gillian Martin served as Acting Cabinet Secretary while McAllan was on maternity leave.
In June 2025, the role was renamed again to Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy and Martin was appointed to the role.[6] In May 2026 the role was retitled Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs.[7]
Responsibilities
The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs is responsible for the following policy areas:[8]
Climate action
- Cross government co-ordination of Net Zero policy
- Climate crisis and environmental protection
- Environmental and climate justice and international climate change
- Environmental quality
- Sustainable development
- Flood prevention and coastal erosion
- Drinking water quality and water supply
- Hydronation
- Circular economy
- Emissions Trading Schemes
- Deposit return and waste issues
- Green Growth Accelerator
- Nature recovery targets
- Biodiversity and endangered species
Rural affairs
- Rural policy and strategy
- Land reform and land use
- Natural resources and peatland
- National parks and natural heritage
Public bodies
The following public bodies report to the cabinet secretary:[8]
List of officeholders
As is typical of Scottish government roles, the Climate Action and Energy portfolio has gone through many iterations since its inception. The incumbent minister is Gillian Martin.
| Name | Portrait | 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 | _(cropped).jpg) |
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 | .jpg) |
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 | 11 June 2025 | Scottish National Party | John Swinney | |
| Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy | ||||||
| Gillian Martin | .jpg) |
11 June 2025 | 20 May 2026 | Scottish National Party | John Swinney | |
| Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs | ||||||
| Gillian Martin | .jpg) |
20 May 2026 | Incumbent | Scottish National Party | John Swinney | |