Heat in buildings strategy - achieving net zero emissions: consultation

Chapter 11 Monitoring, Evaluation and Future Decision Making

Monitoring and Evaluation

In order to ensure we are on track to achieve our long-term vision and track progress towards milestones, we will be monitoring and evaluating delivery. Monitoring and evaluation will allow us to adapt and flex our approach where necessary.

As well as looking at outputs, including policy and programme interventions, we will be monitoring and measuring outcomes, capturing the impact the transition to warmer, greener and more efficient homes and buildings has on Scotland’s people, businesses and communities.

Alongside the finalised Heat in Buildings Strategy, we will publish a monitoring and evaluation framework, setting out:

• a comprehensive framework for monitoring progress against the objectives set in this draft Strategy covering homes, work places, public sector buildings and other non-domestic buildings; and
• a range of output and outcome indicators, linked to our outcomes (Chapter 2), to inform an annual statement of progress, taking account of the Climate Change Plan monitoring framework, as well as the monitoring and evaluation requirements for Fuel Poverty within the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) Act 2019.

We will build in evaluation to our delivery programmes, such as Warmer Homes Scotland, our Area Based Schemes, the replacement to the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme and CARES, to ensure lessons are learned and inform future approaches and rollout.

Our work should be based on and driven by clear evidence and data. As such we will be reviewing available data, identifying where any gaps exist and where we can draw on existing evidence, ensuring we have the most accurate baseline for our building stock. We will also curate exemplars of excellence and best practice, to inform future decisions on targets, regulations and delivery, as well as project and programme design.

It will be important that our Heat in Buildings Strategy stays current and reflects the latest thinking and developments in the UK, Europe and elsewhere in the world. As such, we will review the strategy in the mid-2020s, making any adjustments required and setting out more detailed actions to accelerate and drive progress through the second half of the decade to 2030.

Future Decision Making

Transforming Scotland’s homes, workplaces and community buildings is a shared endeavour. We set out earlier the importance of working with individuals and communities, to secure this transition in a way that works with, and for, people. Local government will be a key partner in achieving delivery on the ground. We will continue to work with COSLA to strengthen and integrate governance arrangements on heat and energy efficiency, to ensure effective delivery over the long term.

As we continue to develop and deliver the national Heat in Buildings Strategy, we will draw on findings from Scotland’s Citizens Assembly for Climate Change, and continue to seek advice from our stakeholders and advisors via our External Advisory Group (see Annex E for membership). This group is made up of a wide range of stakeholders representing different interests, including networks, consumers, supply chains and delivery partners.

One of the most important things we have heard to date is the need for certainty. This is needed to allow people and businesses to plan and phase investments and work pipelines. We know that uncertainty arising from changing priorities, targets and milestones, as well as support mechanisms, can slow down progress.

In order to overcome this, we have already committed to a 5-year capital budget for our heat and energy efficiency programmes and will, during the next Parliament, bring forward regulations across energy efficiency and heating systems, setting the long-term statutory requirements for buildings to become zero emissions.

Summary of action we will take:

105.Publish a monitoring and evaluation framework to accompany the publication of the final strategy.

106.We will build in evaluation to our delivery programmes, to ensure lessons are learned and inform future approaches and rollout.

107.We will continue to work with COSLA to strengthen and integrate governance arrangements on heat and energy efficiency to ensure effective delivery over the long term.

Questions:

62. Do you agree with our proposals for a monitoring and evaluation framework? If not, please state your reasons and suggested improvements.

63. What are your views on how lessons learned from heat and energy efficiency policy and programmes should be shared with the sector and key stakeholders to ensure that Scotland benefits from the public investment outlined above?

64. Finally, is there any other information you would like to provide us with that is relevant to the development of Scotland’s Heat in Building Strategy?