Energy Efficient Scotland development: consultation analysis

Introduction

Background

This report presents analysis of responses to ‘Energy Efficient Scotland: consultation on further development of the programme’.

The consultation paper explains that the Energy Efficient Scotland Route Map published in May 2018, set out the Scottish Government’s proposed steps to ensure that all homes and non-domestic buildings are improved so that they achieve a good level of energy efficiency, where technically feasible and cost-effective. The proposals set out differing timeframes and targets according to tenure, but with an overall objective that all homes should achieve a standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C by 2040.

Respondents to the 2018 consultation ‘Energy Efficient Scotland: making our homes and buildings warmer, greener and more efficient’ expressed mixed views on both the proposed minimum standard of Band C and the target date of 2040, with the most common response on timescales being that 2030 would be a more appropriate date. (The full consultation report is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/consultation-analysis-energy-efficient-scotland-making-homes-buildings-warmer-greener-more-efficient/.) The Scottish Parliament has also considered the timescales for Energy Efficient Scotland, with a majority supporting an amendment in May 2018 calling on the Scottish Government to bring forward the date for all homes to achieve EPC Band C from 2040 to 2030.

This consultation seeks to gather evidence which could support a change to the Route Map’s proposed timeframe to deliver standards for all properties across Scotland in an achievable and realistic way. It also explores issues associated with standards in the Private Rented Sector beyond 2025, considers recommendations made by a Short Life Working Group for quality assurance and consumer protection in relation to Energy Efficient Scotland, and seeks views on how the growth of heat networks in Scotland can be accelerated.

The consultation opened on 26 March 2019 and closed on 17 July 2019. The consultation paper is available at: https://consult.gov.scot/better-homes-division/energy-efficient/.

Profile of respondents

In total 115 responses were received to the Energy Efficient Scotland consultation, of which 75 were from groups or organisations and 40 from individual members of the public. The majority of responses were received through the Scottish Government’s Citizen Space consultation hub. Where consent has been given to publish the response, it may be found at: https://consult.gov.scot/better-homes-division/energy-efficient/

Respondents were asked to identify whether they were responding as an individual or on behalf of a group or organisation. Organisational respondents were then allocated to one of ten categories by the analysis team. A breakdown of the number of responses received by respondent type is set out in Table 1 below and a full list of organisational respondents can be found in Annex 1.

Table 1: Respondents by type

Consultation events

In addition to the main consultation, the Scottish Government held two consultation events, one in Stirling, the other in Inverness. 

The Stirling event was attended by 42 people, made up of representatives from manufacturing, local authorities, installers, energy assessors, academia, trade bodies, government managing agents, procurement bodies, energy companies, and skills bodies. The Inverness event was attended by 11 people, made up of representatives from manufacturing, local authorities, installers, energy assessors, academia, trade bodies and government managing agents. 

The consultation events discussed seven questions (Questions 1,3,4, 6,10,11 and 12). Summary analysis of the themes raised is presented at the end of each question.

Analysis and reporting

In total the consultation posed 14 questions, of which four had a multiple-choice element that has been analysed quantitatively. The remainder were open questions.

This report presents a question-by-question analysis of the comments made. A small number of respondents did not make their submission on the consultation questionnaire but submitted their comments in a statement-style format. This content was analysed qualitatively under the most directly relevant consultation question.

A small number of respondents provided extensive and detailed answers which can only be summarised very briefly in a report of this kind. It should be noted, however, that all responses are available to the Energy Efficient Scotland policy team at the Scottish Government.

As with any public consultation exercise, it should be noted that those responding or attending a consultation event generally have a particular interest in the subject area. However, the views they express cannot necessarily be seen as representative of wider public opinion.

The following terms have been used in the qualitative analysis. Please note that the number of responses represented by some of these terms will vary based on the number of respondents commenting at a question. 

• Most: used when a majority of those commenting made a point.
• Many: used when a large minority, 1 in 3 or more, made a point.
• Some: used when fewer than 1 in 3 but more than a small number made a comment.

• A small number: used when two or more, but a maximum of five respondents made a comment. 

A list of acronyms used in the report is provided at Annex 2.