The Scottish Government has been warned that legislative delays are jeopardizing the transition to net zero housing by 2045.
The Existing Homes Alliance, a coalition of housing, environment, fuel poverty, consumer and industry organisations, said the failure to introduce the Heat in Buildings Bill as promised in a 2021 strategy document from the Scottish Government, is already undermining efforts to improve energy. efficiency of the country’s housing stock.
Around a fifth of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the continued use of fossil fuel boilers in homes which have yet to be upgraded to cleaner energy systems. On its website, the Scottish Government has only pledged to “consult in 2023 on proposals that could inform a Heat in Buildings Bill and the regulations that would follow, including energy efficiency standards for homes occupied by the owners”.
Meanwhile, the Building Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2023 became law on 21 September. They require that all new homes and buildings, built with planning permission applied for on or after 1 April 2024, stop using direct emission heating systems.
The alliance said the Heat in Buildings Act, which would include new mandatory standards by 2045 for emission-free heating and energy efficiency in homes, is needed because it would provide “much-needed clarity” for landlords, owners and supply chains.
In a letter to Prime Minister Humza Yousaf, he warned that delays in introducing the new standards had already discouraged supply chain organizations from increasing capacity to meet growing demand.
“Scotland’s businesses will be central to this, and to make this happen, we need certainty,” the alliance said.
“It is now two years since the Heat in Buildings Strategy was published and the delay in consultation and finally in the introduction of these standards has already meant that supply chains have to stretch to meet the growing demand at a time when they are also struggling with the impact of rising and volatile energy costs.
“The cost of delay is the loss of job opportunities and another winter of cold houses and energy poverty.
“We call on the Scottish Government to keep its promise to consult these proposals and bring the Heat in Buildings Bill to Parliament next year.”
The Existing Homes Alliance said there were strong foundations, with numerous Scottish companies making key equipment such as heat pumps, heat storage and insulation, and others working to improve homes or build heat networks.
“However, we will need a step change in the capacity and capability of supply chains if we are to meet the scale of demand,” he said.
A Scottish Government spokesman said Construction news: “We welcome this strong message of support from business for further action to accelerate the transition to zero-emission homes. We will shortly be consulting on proposals to inform a bill on heat in buildings, asking for views on the best way to offer this thermal transition and improvements in the energy efficiency of our buildings.
“We want to realize the economic opportunities and job creation associated with the thermal transition and have set out the actions we will take in our Building Heat Supply Chain Delivery Plan.”
