Policy landscape

• Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019

  Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 (legislation.gov.uk)

  This legislation set the ambitious target that Scotland’s carbon emissions will be net zero by 2045. Net zero is the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and the amount removed from the atmosphere. To achieve this the Scottish Government has put in place interim targets of a 75% reduction by 2030 and a 90% reduction by 2040. These targets are relative to the levels of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland in 1990.

  To meet our net zero target by 2045 all homes and buildings in Scotland must significantly reduce their energy use.

• Bute House Agreement

  The Bute House Agreement refers to a policy programme between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party to build a green economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. It focuses on areas such as child poverty, the environment, and energy emissions. It also promises to invest at least £1.8 million in energy efficiency and renewable heating during this parliamentary session.

• Heat in Buildings Strategy

  The Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy sets out how Scotland’s buildings will be decarbonised to meet the net zero 2045 target. By 2045 all homes and buildings in Scotland must significantly reduce their energy use. All homes must also reach the equivalent of EPC band C by 2033.

  Energy efficiency remains at the core of the Scottish Government’s heat in buildings policies and programmes. A fabric-first approach, both the retrofit of existing buildings and increased energy performance of new buildings, continues to be the priority of all fuel poverty interventions. This policy will deliver regulations to support the installation of cost-effective, energy efficient solutions such as wall and floor insulation.

  The UK Government’s heat and building strategy predicts that the growth of the energy efficiency retrofit sector has the potential to create 175,000 jobs by 2030.

• Heat in Buildings Strategy Quality Assurance Policy Statement

  The Scottish Government emphasises the importance of quality assurance in meeting climate goals. They’ve outlined these principles in the Quality Assurance Policy Statement within the recently released Heat in Buildings Strategy for works funded by various government schemes.

  Thermal insulation suppliers will have to be TrustMark registered to access Scottish Government funded schemes. TrustMark is the UK Government endorsed quality scheme for home improvements carried out in and around the home.

  We need to have a highly skilled workforce that can deliver quality installations for customers. The Scottish Government’s heat in buildings strategy quality assurance policy statement recommends certifications and qualifications that insulation installers should have in Scotland.

• Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition, and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019

  This remains the most ambitious and comprehensive piece of fuel poverty legislation in the UK.

  Scotland has targets set out in the 2019 Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition, and Strategy) (Scotland) Act that by the end of 2040:

  • no more than 5% of households are in fuel poverty
  • no more than 1% of households are in extreme fuel poverty

  Any home that has an EPC rating D-G is classed as having poor energy efficiency which can increase fuel bills. The Scottish Government is committed to improving the energy efficiency of homes across Scotland. Their target is for all households in fuel poverty to reach an energy efficiency rating equivalent to EPC band C by 2030 and equivalent to EPC B by 2040.