The Scottish Government has said its new legislative plans to improve the energy efficiency of the country’s housing stock will encourage construction firms to invest in upgrading ratings.
Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said the proposals under consultation as part of the long-awaited Heat in Buildings Bill will provide the certainty needed for companies to increase industry capacity and meet demand for retrofits .
Under the plans, all landlords will have to ensure their properties meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2033, and homes and buildings will have to replace gas boilers with clean devices such as heat pumps heat, no later than 2045.
Before this date, all those who purchase a home or non-domestic property would be required to stop using polluting heating systems within a specified period after purchase.
The consultation, which also includes measures to encourage the development of heat networks, is part of a legislative process that aims for the bill to become law in 2025 and the regulations to apply from 2028.
The Scottish Government had been under pressure to provide certainty on the transition to green homes, with companies working in the sector warning last month that delays in introducing the standards had already prevented supply chains from expanding .
Harvey said Construction news that building capacity across the sector over the next two decades would be a “high priority”, with clarity, certainty and long time horizons needed to build confidence.
“We need to make it worthwhile for companies working in this sector to invest in increased reskilling, to ensure they have the ability to undertake the work, and they will only do so if they know the jobs are there. ,” he said.
The transition to net zero homes will provide opportunities for businesses of all sizes to carry out retrofit work, he said, while housebuilders are already well placed to meet a new build heat standard that will come into force next year.
Harvie admitted that capacity can be a challenge in remote rural and island communities and said local authorities or social landlords may need to step in to provide a “backstop” by building their internal capacity to lead to finish the job
“But I wouldn’t expect that to be the main mode – there’s a lot of work to be done here and the opportunity for existing companies to grow their capacity to make sure they can take on that work,” he said. . .
He contrasted the Scottish Government’s approach with the UK Government’s apparent decline in home energy efficiency earlier this month, which he said had seen the UK drop down the league tables in terms of attractive for green investment.
“Scotland wants to do the opposite – Scotland wants to send a very clear signal that if you are interested in participating in the green transition, Scotland is a great place to invest and grow that capacity,” he said.
Lori McElroy, chair of the Existing Homes Alliance, a coalition of housing, environmental, fuel poverty, consumer and industry organisations, said the consultation was a welcome step in the right direction.
“Businesses are ready and willing to help tackle the climate challenge, but they need certainty,” he said. “Clarity on standards and timelines will give companies a clear line of work, allowing them to scale up to meet growing demand.”
However, the regulations needed to be accompanied by expanded counseling and support services, he added.
The Scottish Government’s consultation on the Heat in Buildings Bill closes on 8 March 2024.
