Heat in Buildings Bill consultation: strategic environmental assessment

Appendix A - Stage 1 Assessment summary

Table 3. Summary of relevant SEA findings by environmental topic

Climatic factors - Significant positive effects on climatic factors are likely as a result of measures that improve energy efficiency and thus reduce demand for heat. The prohibition of fossil fuel heating systems is a proposal designed to contribute directly to our commitments to climate change and the targets associated with that. Cumulative positive effects are also expected for climate factors as a result of a reduction in GHG emissions. These conclusions hold true for both domestic and non-domestic properties.

Population and human health – for both domestic and non-domestic properties, significant positive effects on population and human health are likely as a result of measures, mentioned above to improve energy efficiency and reduce demand for heat. This is also likely as a result of the reduction which will occur to total GHG emissions. Linked to this are the benefits which will occur to human health as a result in improvements to air quality. This is also true when considered against energy security and our current efforts to reduce reliance on the gas network. Further positive effects are likely to come from the support being offered to ensure change happens in a fair way.

Positive effects associated with this factor are also likely when looking at the supply chain and impact the proposals will have as a result of delivering across Scotland. The impact of the proposal on those in or at risk of becoming fuel poor are also likely to be positive, with the help of targeted support programmes.

Negative effects may occur as a result of installation works, but these are likely to be short lived and localised in nature. Boarder negative effects are however identified associated with the costs of meeting the standard/target. Efforts to mitigate these effects will be needed to ensure the successful roll out of the proposals.

Air - Significant positive effects on air quality are likely from measures that reduce energy generation emissions which will be brought about through energy efficiency measures and a prohibition of direct emissions heating systems. This reduction is a key founding principle of the Bill itself.

Cultural and historic heritage – There are likely to be negative impacts on this factor as a result of works which might impact both directly and indirectly. The visual impact on properties which might fall within this category will need to be carefully considered. Impacts are likely to be visual in nature. This may also hold true for the expansion of heat networks, again as a result of the visual impact of works.

Material assets – the proposals are likely to have significant positive effects on this factor as a result of improvements resulting from the installation of energy efficiency measures in particular. The prohibition of direct emissions heating will make a direct contribution to the reduction of emissions, again having a positive effect. The combination of these proposals will, as above, impact positively on the supply chain, which will in turn have a positive effect on this factor. Any negative impacts associated with installation works, both at a property level and heat network level are likely to be short term in nature.

Detailed relevant SEA findings by SEA topic

Climate Factors

• Setting a standard which prohibits the use of fossil fuel boilers and which drives improvements in energy efficiency in domestic properties will make a direct positive contribution to our commitments to climate change targets.
• The setting of the standard will reduce the need for energy for heat, and will reduce overall GHG emissions arising from heat use
• The clarity provided by the proposals will drive continued development of renewable and low carbon technologies which will provide broader climatic improvements.
• Likely minor positive long term effects on reducing GHG through use of zero emissions energy sources, and supporting climate change adaptation through resilience of the energy efficiency work
• Provisions which support climate change adaptation including improvements in the energy efficiency of housing stock, reducing energy demand and consumption contribute to improving the resilience of energy infrastructure.

Air Quality

• Supporting measures to reduce demand and increase energy efficiency has the potential to lead to reduced demand for energy as a whole
• Eliminating emissions from heating systems on a building by building basis is likely to improve air quality
• With reductions in GHG emissions are likely to come associated benefits to air quality, especially if there is a greater emphasis placed on the benefits for population and human health of reducing exposure to cold and damp properties
• Positive effects as a result of heat network expansion

Population and human health

• Addressing energy efficiency issues and providing zero emissions heating are likely to have a beneficial impact on living conditions, particularly those vulnerable to the impacts of damp (such as respiratory conditions) and those considered to be fuel poor
• Benefits for human health likely as a result of making buildings more resilient to the effects of climate change, improving network reliability and though promoting the decentralisation of energy and increased uptake of heat and electricity generation at local level

In some instances, negative impacts can arise through operational activities, such as the potential for disturbance during installation of measures

Material assets

• Benefits to assets as a result of focus on energy efficiency and insulation, through fabric first measures
• Greater uptake of technologies could improve efficiencies across the sector
• In some instances, negative impacts can arise through operational activities, such as the potential for disturbance during installation of measures
• the installation of heat network infrastructure such as pipes could result in environmental effects, including impacts to material assets from construction activities and siting of developments

Cultural heritage

• Negative effects are identified in relation to developments or changes to historic buildings brought about through fabric first insulation measures, and the installation of heat pumps and other sources of energy.