Heat in Buildings Bill consultation: strategic environmental assessment

1. Proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill Consultation (“the consultation”)

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 The consultation on proposals to be contained within a planned Heat in Buildings Bill comes after our plans for decarbonising Scotland’s buildings which were set out in the 2021 Heat in Buildings Strategy. This made clear that regulations would be essential to reducing emissions from Scotland’s buildings. This consultation is the first step in this process.

1.1.2 The proposed Bill to which the consultation relates will help deliver on the Vision laid out in the Strategy, as follows:

Our Vision - “By 2045 our homes and buildings are warmer, greener and more efficient”

1.1.3 This vision and the deliverables progressed through the Strategy are underpinned by energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation supporting outcomes as detailed in Figure 1.

1.1.4 Our approach to introduce formal regulations, by way of primary legislation, draws together existing and emerging Scottish Government policies and proposals relating to energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation as they affect buildings across Scotland. These underpin the high level outcomes identified and include measures to direct and support people, places, our economy, future energy networks, delivery and investment.

1.1.5 The consultation on proposals to be contained within a Heat in Buildings Bill sets out the legislative intentions to set new standards for all buildings in Scotland, both in terms of their energy efficiency and the direct emissions which they produce from heating. The setting of these standards in law is intended to drive progress across the building stock in a way which has not been achieved through persuasion thus far. The setting of standards will also help drive emissions reductions commensurate with net zero and interim climate change targets.

1.1.6 Since there is no single technology that will work in all places for all buildings, the consultation is technology neutral, giving choice to consumers which reflects their own circumstances and the diverse nature of the built stock across Scotland.

1.1.7 The consultation asks questions on timeframes for the built stock to meet the standards proposed, intending to contribute towards us meeting our wider targets on emissions reductions laid out in the Climate Change Plan update.

1.1.8 Further, the consultation recognises that the proposals included are the first step to the creation of a legislative framework. Secondary regulations will be required to provide the details of delivery and will be the subject of future consultations. Where any future policies and proposals are developed, these will themselves be subject to consideration in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act (2005). Further detail on the consultation’s interaction with other plans, programmes and strategies (PPS) is provided in Section 3.

Figure 1 – Heat in Buildings Strategy outcomes

National Performance Framework Outcomes

• Economy – We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy
• Environment – We value, enjoy, protect and enhance our environment
• Poverty – We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally
• Health – We are healthy and active
• Fair work and business – We have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone
• Communities – We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe

Heat in Buildings Strategy Outcomes

• The cost of heating our homes and businesses is affordable and those occupying them have a high comfort level
• We have reduced our demand for heat and poor energy efficiency is no longer a driver of fuel poverty
• The systems we use are smart and resilient and provide us with a reliable source of heat
• We have a secure supply chain with high value, local, sustainable jobs across Scotland and people have been helped to transition to new, secure jobs as part of a just transition
• Our indoor and outdoor spaces are filled with cleaner air
• Our heating systems enable and efficiently use Scotland’s renewable energy resources
• Electricity and non-electrical fuels are produced from sustainable sources in a way which is consistent with net zero emissions and biodiversity targets
• Our heating systems enable the flexible and stable operation of our energy networks