The Scottish Government has published the Programme for Government for year ahead, which sets out the key activities of the Scottish Government and the bills they are planning to deliver.
Changeworks welcomes the commitment to prioritising tackling the climate emergency, as it is “the greatest existential threat of our times” as the First Minister John Swinney put it.
It is encouraging to see the Heat in Buildings Bill will be introduced. However, we are concerned by the continued lack of a firm timeline and the pace of delivery. The bill needs to be passed as soon as possible to allow time for the underpinning regulations to be approved to create certainty for homeowners and the retrofit sector.
Clear timelines and commitments are urgently needed
Following the scrapping of the interim 2030 net zero target in March, we cautiously welcome the Climate Change Bill which will establish a new carbon budgets approach to target setting to be introduced in an effort to reach net zero by 2045.
However, we urgently need more clarity on Scotland’s Climate Change Plan and the commitments, regulatory change, and timescales that are needed to meet net zero.
Scotland has missed its annual emissions target eight times over the last 12 years, with key indicators of progress, such as heat pump installations, off track.
By passing the Heat in Buildings Bill, the Scottish Government can provide certainty to homeowners and the supply chain. The Bill proposes that use of polluting heating systems, such as gas boilers, are prohibited after 2045 and replaced with a zero emissions system such as an electric system like a heat pump
We know that the Scottish public agree that climate change is a huge problem, but more support is needed for people to tackle it. We welcome the First Minister’s statement that “the Heat in Buildings Bill must provide practical assistance to households and businesses to support energy efficiency”. Changeworks is on hand to support householders to decarbonise their homes to meet upcoming legislation.
Just as importantly, the Scottish Government needs to provide clear and timely communication on quality standards and implementation dates to enable the supply chain to prepare itself for this transition. It is crucial that installers, manufacturers and the wider supply chain have time to prepare, invest, and upskill their workforce to meet the demand for electric heating and fabric measures.
Changeworks is working with the supply chain to aid this journey, but the sector requires more clarity and certainty to allow this work to continue at scale.
Tackling fuel poverty is key to a just transition
Leaky homes and a reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets for home heating systems have caused thousands to fall into fuel poverty. Around 35% of Scottish households are in fuel poverty, and over 50% of homes have an Energy Performance rating of D or below.
Improving the energy efficiency of Scotland’s homes is a key step towards ensuring a just transition, reducing levels of fuel poverty and protecting householders from energy price shocks.