Climate Change Plan: third report on proposals and policies - written statement

Building Standards

Local Government and Communities Committee

1. The Committee welcomed the proposal to review energy standards within building regulations with a view to achieving zero carbon homes across Scotland by 2050. The Committee encouraged the Scottish Government to ensure that there is an appropriate lead in time for any such changes. (187)

• The review of energy standards within building regulations will commence in early 2018. This will investigate the further potential for energy and emission reductions from new buildings and from new building work, including options for a 'net zero carbon standard' for new development. Any changes arising from review will be implemented with appropriate lead-in time to enable industry to prepare. However, the Committee should be aware that an ambition of 'zero carbon homes' by 2050 is not within the scope of current review and would require broader action across government.

2. The Committee recommended that energy efficiency standards for existing homes should be addressed as a priority. (186)

• Public consultation on proposed standards in the private rented sector was undertaken in the first half of 2017. The Minister for Local Government and Housing informed the Local Government and Communities Committee on 14 November 2017 that standards would be set out in the Scotland's Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) routemap, to be published in 2018. Proposals will allow for an appropriate lead in time for the sector to prepare.
• Following public engagement over winter 2017/18, the SEEP routemap will also set out how the Scottish Government will encourage action to improve the energy efficiency in owner occupied homes
• A review is currently underway of the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH), with membership in the Review Group from relevant stakeholder bodies (local authorities, Registered Social Landlords etc). Revised guidance for social landlords on meeting the 2020 milestone was published on 20 December 2017. The Review is currently considering future milestones for EESSH beyond 2020, and will inform the development of the SEEP routemap.