FOI/202400412243 · FOI · partially withheld
Correspondence and briefings written for Former First Minister trip to Cop28: FOI release
Information requested
All correspondence, including internal correspondence, and briefings written, for Humza Yousaf’s trip to Cop28, including all invites to events and invites to COP28 itself, which mention Scottish Government climate change targets between November 10 and December 5.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under s.28 (substantial prejudice to UK relations); s.30(b)(1) (substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice); s.33(1)(b) substantial prejudice to commercial interests); s.38(1)(b) (third party data) of FOISA applies to that information. [The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below.
These exemptions are 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 because of an interest in supporting greater transparency within government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in: supporting good working relationships between the Scottish and British Governments; the ability of officials to effectively support ministers in their public affairs, providing them with confidential advice; and not adversely impacting on a commercial business.
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Detected exemption language
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under s.28 (substantial prejudice to UK relations); s.30(b)(1) (substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice); s.33(1)(b) substantial prejudice to commercial interests); s.38(1)(b) (third party data) of FOISA applies to that information. [The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below. These exemptions are 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.