Energy efficiency in existing non-domestic buildings regulation - call for evidence: response summary

1. Introduction

The 2018 Energy Efficient Scotland: Route Map set out a programme for the review of regulations on the energy performance of existing non-domestic buildings. In October 2021 the Scottish Government published the Heat in Buildings Strategy^[1] confirming the intention to develop a new regulatory framework for zero emissions heating and energy efficiency in non-domestic buildings by 2025.

The framework will build on the Scottish Government's existing commitments to extend regulation to improve energy efficiency and, where possible within our legal competence, to require the adoption of zero emissions heating systems. The aim is to ensure that all non-domestic buildings are energy efficient and use zero emissions heating and cooling systems by 2045. The Scottish Government will consult on the new regulatory framework during 2022, with a view to introducing regulations by 2025.

1.1 Consultations

In December 2021 a Call for Evidence^[2] was issued as the first public engagement stage in the development of this new regulatory framework. It sought evidence of existing approaches (regulatory or non-regulatory schemes and programmes) to improve the energy efficiency and drive the conversion of non-domestic buildings to zero emissions heating sources. We sought examples which could operate at the level of individual buildings, building groups or regions.

1.2 Responses to the Call for Evidence

We received 14 responses to this Call for Evidence from the following organisations:

• The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE)
• Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS)
• Climate Emergency Response Group (CERG)
• BRE
• Danish Energy Agency
• Elmhurst Energy
• Energy Savings Trust (EST)
• KJ Tait Engineers
• Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association (MIMA)
• The National Trust for Scotland
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• Scottish Power
• Scottish Property Federation
• South Lanarkshire Council

There were six responses to the question "How satisfied were you with this consultation?" and of these, three responses were "very satisfied" and three responses were "neither satisfied nor dissatisfied".