The First Minister launched the Route Map to an Energy Efficient Scotland today at the All Energy Conference in Glasgow. Energy used to heat and cool buildings in Scotland is estimated to account for over 50% of Scotland’s energy use. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland had been calling for the Government to ensure that all homes have at least Energy Performance Rating C by 2025.
The key targets announced in today’s roadmap include:
- By 2040 all Scottish homes achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘C’ (where technically feasible and cost effective).
- All homes with households in fuel poverty to reach EPC C by 2030 and EPC B by 2040 (where technically feasible and cost effective).
- Maximise the number of social rented homes achieving EPC B by 2032.
- Private rented homes to EPC E by 2022, to EPC D by 2025, and (subject to consultation) EPC C by 2030 (where technically feasible and cost effective)
- (subject to consultation)All owner occupied homes to reach EPC C by 2040 (where technically feasible and cost effective).
- Our non-domestic buildings will be assessed and improved to the extent this is technically feasible and cost effective by 2040.
Reacting to the announcement, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Chair Tom Ballantine said,
“Energy efficiency is one of the cheapest approaches to lowering our climate emissions and would deliver multiple social and economic benefits like savings on bills and the reduction of health problems. Despite good intentions, this route map doesn’t seize the opportunity presented as quickly as it should.
“It is positive that the Scottish Government recognises people in fuel poverty and the socially rented sector need to have the blight of cold homes tackled with greater urgency. However, the headline target of getting all Scotland’s homes to an EPC rating of ‘C’ by 2040 is far too unambitious. This distant date means that thousands of Scots will be trapped for another 20 years in cold, draughty homes with the knock-on negative impacts on both public health and climate emissions.
“Tackling the inefficient use of energy to heat our homes and businesses is a key part of Scotland’s route to net-zero climate emissions. If we are to join other nations in demonstrating climate leadership, the targets set out in this route map should be made more ambitious, be better funded and set out in law. This year’s climate change bill is the perfect opportunity for MSPs to demonstrate their commitment to tackling both fuel poverty and climate change whilst boosting Scotland’s economy.”
