Energy Efficient Scotland: strategic environmental assessment

3 Background to Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH)

3.1 Background - Social Housing

3.1.1 The Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing ( EESSH) was introduced in 2014 to encourage social landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their stock. It sets a minimum EE rating – SAP2009 60-69 ( EPC band D or C) – for landlords to achieve by 2020, depending on fuel and dwelling type. EESSH compliance is part of the Scottish Social Housing Charter, with the Scottish Housing Regulator ( SHR) responsible for monitoring performance. Encouraging progress has been made to date, with three quarters of the social housing stock already meeting the EESSH (2016/17). A variety of funding sources are available to landlords to help them attain the EESSH, however the majority of investment has been from landlords' own resources (roughly 80%). ^[21]

3.1.2 When EESSH was introduced, a review was agreed with social landlords for 2017 to assess progress towards the 2020 target and to consider future milestones beyond 2020. The EESSH Review Group was established in March 2017, it is chaired by Scottish Government officials membership includes representation from: Local Authorities; Registered Social Landlords ( RSLs); Historic Environment Scotland ( HES); the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations ( SFHA); the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations ( GWSF); the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities ( CoSLA); and the ( SHR) ^[22] . Following conclusion of the EESSH2 consultation and confirmation of its outcomes, the EESSH Review will be completed and finalised.

3.1.3 Following agreement through the EESSH Review Group, we are proposing a new EESSH2 milestone. Aligning with our wider ambitions for the Programme, emissions reductions and domestic heat, we are proposing a new milestone to maximise the number of social rented homes meeting EPC Band B by 2032. This will be supported by: an opportunity for review in 2025 (to confirm progress and finalise the detail of future milestones, and which will be able to account of the development of decarbonisation and forthcoming policy announcements on hydrogen from the UKG); and by a visionary standard for 2040. This vision will look to realise the removal of poor energy inefficiency as a driver of fuel poverty in social housing, and for all social housing to be carbon neutral as far as reasonably practical.