SCOTTISH parliamentarians packing up as Holyrood goes into recess ahead of May’s election.
Since forming in 2016, this parliament has passed and enacted several world-leading pieces of legislation.
From groundbreaking public health initiatives to landmark political declarations, few areas of Scotland’s governance have remained unchanged.
Now, with Parliament winding down, we take a look at seven of the most pivotal moments.
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Climate action
Holyrood underlined its commitment to tackling the climate crisis in September 2019 when MSPs passed the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act.
The legislation accelerated the country’s commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero. It sets out ambitions to reach that target by 2045 at the latest, with interim targets for reductions of at least 56% by 2020, 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040.
The 2045 goal puts Scotland five years ahead of the UK Government and was based on advice from the independent Climate Change Committee.
READ MORE: Covid, scandals and landmark legislation: Holyrood term like no other is coming to an end
Aiming to cut emissions by 75% by 2030 also meant Scotland had set itself the toughest statutory target of any country in the world for this date, going above and beyond what the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states is required to limit global warming to 1.5C.
Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said at the time: “Our new Climate Change Bill demonstrates what international leadership on climate action means. Not only are we setting legally binding targets to reduce emissions to net-zero in direct response to the Paris Agreement, we are also putting in place the most stringent framework of statutory targets of any country in the world.”
Smacking ban
In October 2019, MSPs passed the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act.
Section 1 of the Act, which came into force the following month, made it illegal to physically punish a child, removing a parents’ right to use “reasonable” force.
It meant Scotland became the 58th country in the world to outlaw smacking, and the first in the UK.
Children’s Commissioner Bruce Adamson described the passing of the Act as a “proud day for Scotland”.
Investment Bank
Legislation to set up Scotland’s National Investment Bank was passed unanimously in January 2020.
Launched in November, the bank is designed to support innovation and help the country meet its climate change targets.
It is to be backed by £2 billion in government funding over the next 10 years.
Nicola Sturgeon described it as "one of the most significant developments in the lifetime of this parliament".
Electoral expansion
In February 2020, parliamentarians backed the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill.
It grants voting rights to all foreign nationals with leave to remain, including all those with refugee status, as well as extending candidacy rights to foreign nationals with indefinite leave to remain, and to those with pre-settled status.
It was the first time in the history of the Scottish Parliament that a bill passed after requiring a super-majority – the support of two-thirds of the 129 members.
Constitution Secretary Michael Russell said: ““This bill, a historic piece of legislation, is an example of Scotland’s ability to take the lead in making progressive reforms, and one of which we should be proud.
“It also reflects the reality of modern Scotland: a nation committed to robustly meeting our duties to the treaties that safeguard our human rights, that welcomes those who seek to join our society, and gives a democratic voice to the most marginalised in our communities.”
Period products
Holyrood attracted the attention of the world in November 2020 when MSPs unanimously approved the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill.
It marked Scotland out as a leader on the global stage, becoming the first country to make period products free for all.
READ MORE: How the world reacted to Scotland's historic period product legislation
The legislation compels local authorities to ensure that free items such as tampons and sanitary pads are available to "anyone who needs them".
The move was hailed in news reports from the US, China, Pakistan and beyond marking the historic act.
Human rights
More recently, Scotland became the first devolved nation in the world to pledge to directly incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law.
MSPs voted unanimously on March 16 for the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill to become law, meaning public authorities will have to comply with children’s rights. The bill will come into force in six months’ time.
READ MORE: Dr Tracy Kirk: Significance of children’s rights bill can’t be overstated
Only a small number of nations have directly incorporated the UNCRC into domestic law and Scotland will be the first country in the UK to do so.
Legal academic Dr Tracy Kirk said the legislation will “transform the lives of children and their families across Scotland”.
Independence referendum
Finally, this Scottish parliament has produced what could turn out to be the most significant bill in the country’s history.
READ MORE: Scottish Government publishes draft independence referendum bill
On March 21, the Scottish Government published draft legislation for a second independence referendum.
Following on from the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020, it aims to "give people in Scotland the right to decide their future, once the current health crisis is over".
The Government stated it wants to hold indyref2 after the pandemic but "in the first half of the new parliamentary term".
Introducing the bill, Russell said: "It should be for the next Scottish Parliament to decide the timing of the referendum. So that the recovery from the pandemic can be made in Scotland, the Scottish Government believes it should be held in the first half of the new Parliamentary term.
"If there is a majority in the Scottish Parliament after the forthcoming election for an independence referendum there can be no democratic justification whatsoever for any Westminster government to seek to block a post-pandemic referendum."
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