Social housing net zero standard consultation: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

CRWIA Stage 1 - Screening

References in this document are to the existing funding offers available and may change in future.

Summary of policy aims and desired outcomes

The aim of the proposal is to review the post-2020 milestones of the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH2) to ensure they are aligned with statutory net zero targets and ensure a just transition.

• Net zero target: section A1 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires that the net Scottish emissions account is at least 100% lower than the 1990 baseline by 2045.
• Just transition: this means, as a minimum, that the costs of working towards meeting climate targets does not fall disproportionately on tenants, through higher rents or fuel costs, but also that we do not accept leaving some people in housing that is hard to heat.

Aspects of the relevant proposal which currently affects or will affect children and young people up to the age of 18

• The Articles of the UNCRC and the child wellbeing indicators under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 apply to all children and young people up to the age of 18, including non-citizen and undocumented children and young people.
• The principal actions set out in The Consultation will impact on all children and young people up to the age of 18 living in social rented housing, including non-citizen and undocumented children and young people in Scotland.
• Having homes that are cleaner, greener and easier to heat impacts on children and young people.

Groups of children and young people affected by the proposal

All children up to the age of 18 including non-documented and non-citizen children but specifically:

• Children with enhanced heating needs such as those with a disability or illness or babies and very young children.
• Children in families of the six-child poverty priority family types most at risk of poverty.
• Children in families in or at risk of fuel poverty.
• Children and young people living in care.

Is a Stage 2 Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment required?

A CRWIA is required for the proposals for a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard in Scotland.

Sign & Date

Policy Lead Signature & Date of Sign Off: Ciara O'Connor 14/11/2023

CRWIA author, if different from policy lead, Signature & Date of Sign Off: Callum Neil 14/11/2023

Deputy Director Signature & Date of Sign Off: Sue Kearns 14/11/2023