Local air quality management: policy guidance

12. Air quality and domestic heating

12.1 Heat in Buildings Strategy

The Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy (2021)^[35] set out the Government’s policy on Scotland’s route to decarbonisation and aspects of renewable energy development in the built environment, including biomass. The Scottish Government’s position is that bioenergy should only be used in those applications where its carbon reduction impact is maximised, where alternative options are not available, and where it comes from sustainable sources.

Both the Heat in Buildings strategy and proposals included in the consultation on a Heat in Building Bill put forward the Scottish Government’s intention to prohibit the use of polluting heating systems after 2045. In addition, homes would need to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard by 2033, with properties in the private rented sector needing to meet this standard by the end of 2028. These regulations would allow a wide range of suitable clean heating systems to be used, including heat pumps, direct electric heating systems, smart storage heaters and connections to heat networks.

12.2 Medium Combustion Plant Directive

The medium combustion plant requirements of the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012^[36] (known as PPC) are designed to control emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO²) and nitrogen oxides (NO^x) and dust into air from plants with a net rated thermal input of between 1 and 50 megawatts (MW), contributing to improved air quality. For more information please visit the SEPA website: Medium combustion plant - SEPA information.