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Heat in Buildings Consultation
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Proposals to replace fossil fuel heating with clean heating and improve energy efficiency
The Scottish Government is asking for views on proposals to form part of a Heat in Buildings Bill as set out in the Programme for Government.
Proposals include:
- That private rented homes will be required to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard no later than 2028;
- That owner-occupied homes will be required to meet the same minimum energy efficiency standard by the end of 2033;
- That all homes and non-domestic buildings will be required to end their use of polluting heating by the end of 2045; and
- In order to create a smooth trajectory towards 2045, that those purchasing a home or non-domestic property before 2045 would be required to end their use of polluting heating systems within a specific period following that purchase.
The Scottish Government also published proposals for a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard that would require social landlords to meet an energy efficiency standard between 2033 and 2040 and install clean heating across their stock by 2045 where it is technically feasible and cost-effective to do so.
Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said:
“Heat from our homes and buildings represents around 20% of Scotland’s carbon emissions. So there is no route to meeting our legal duty to be a net zero country by 2045 without making the heat transition. Making this transition can also liberate households and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices."
Sustainable Scotland Network are working in partnership with Holyrood Events and ECCI to deliver a conference on the Heat, Housing and the Future of Zero Carbon Homes. Click here to find out more.
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Transport Poverty: A Public Health Issue
The Public Health and Sustainable Transport Partnership Group, hosted by Public Health Scotland, has published a new briefing on transport poverty.
Transport plays a vital role in our health and wellbeing. It provides links to education and employment, to social connections, to affordable and quality nutrition, and to leisure activities.
A lack of transport options that are available, reliable, affordable, accessible and safe, referred to as transport poverty, creates serious health and social implications by blocking people’s ability to meet their daily needs and provide a good quality of life.
Based on a review of key literature and engagement with a wide range of partners, this briefing highlights the causes of transport poverty and how it contributes to poor health, providing recommendations to increase awareness of the issue and guide actions for change. Find out more.
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Community Heat Development Programme
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If you want your community to go low carbon, support is available from The Scottish Government’s Community Heat Development Programme. Delivered by Local Energy Scotland, it supports communities (including groups of householders and community organisations) to develop their ideas for locally-generated, low and carbon heat projects.
Successful applicants will receive technical support to consider the feasibility of their project idea and will give advice on next steps, including any potential routes for further funding.
Find out about the Community Heat Development Programme and submit an expression of interest today.
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Clyde Peatlands project
The GCV Green Network, in partnership with Inverclyde Council and NatureScot, has announced that work on the first regional peatland restoration project is due to begin following a successful funding bid of over £750k.
Convener of Environment and Regeneration, Councillor Michael McCormick, said: “We have set out our ambitious plans to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, in line with Scottish Government targets, and this project will go a long way towards us achieving that.
“Direct council emissions have fallen from 19,104 tonnes in 2012/13 to 11,561 tonnes in 2019/20 so we are doing well, but we can and must do more."
Find out more.
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Accounting Protocols Initiatives
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Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) help to enable financial institutions to access and disclose greenhouse gas emissions associated with financial activities.
Measuring emissions associated with financial activities is the starting point for financial institutions to manage risk, identify opportunities associated with greenhouse gas emissions and begin the journey towards decarbonization.
Find out more.
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Fife Environmental Partnership
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The Fife Environmental Partnership (FEP) held the Fife COP (Conference of Partners) on Thursday 23 November at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline. The event provided an opportunity for organisations to increase the scale and pace of local action and to challenge, inspire and share what is happening in Fife.
Over 100 delegates discussed opportunities, actions and adaptations for Fife to become more resilient in the future. Workshops addressed current topics, such as:
- Climate friendly actions: Dunfermline Learning Campus, the largest Passivhaus construction project in Europe.
- Nature-based solutions to the nature crisis
- Adaptation to unavoidable climate change
- Energy networks and renewable energy
Find out more about the event, chaired by SSN Steering Group Chair, John Wincott.
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Want to support businesses in your area? Let them know about this opportunity!
Climate Springboard is a Scottish SME support programme created in partnership between the Royal Bank of Scotland and Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI). It is designed to prepare businesses for Net Zero and improve their energy efficiency by using simple, low-cost steps.
The programme is now recruiting their next cohort of businesses to join their free programme! The cohort launches on the 22nd of February 2024 with future cohorts following later in the year. The opportunity is available to any Scottish business with a turnover between £1-£25m.
What to expect from the programme?
- Climate Springboard will provide an overview of the Scottish net zero landscape including; upcoming regulation aimed at businesses, funding requirements and supply chain fluctuations.
- The programme will provide businesses with the tools and knowledge to report your carbon emissions and develop a strategy document in line with government protocols.
- Climate Springboard allows businesses to gain access to low-cost action plans and get tailored support to reduce their energy consumption and costs.
To register your interest, click here.
Note: This announcement may be particularly useful for local authorities and enterprise boards who can share this with businesses in their area to support local supply chain sustainability and economic savings.
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Updates from ClimateXChange
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ClimateXChange, Scotland’s centre of expertise on climate change has been working on a number of projects. You can find the most recent publications below:
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Fully-funded places available on Open University Microcredential, 'Climate Change: Transforming your Organisation for Sustainability'
The OU in Scotland is currently offering fully-funded places on our Microcredential course Climate Change: Transforming your Organisation for Sustainability. If you want to make positive change in your organisation, or if you’re looking to advance your career in sustainability, this Microcredential will give you the knowledge and practical skills you need.
The course will start on 25th March and run for 10 weeks. On completion of the course learners will receive 10 academic credits at SCQF level 10 and a certificate of completion.
This course is designed for:
- Anyone looking to develop their skills or advance their career in sustainability
- Professionals aiming to lead climate positive transformation within their organisations, regardless of role or level
- Those involved or aiming to get involved with a sustainability-related project either in their workplace or in their community
More information about the course and the application form can be found here. The deadline for applications is 4th February 2024.
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DeCarbScotland 2024 - 1 February, Edinburgh
The development of CCS clusters in Scotland will impact on planning departments of at least 14 Local Authorities in Scotland (Scotland's Net Zero Roadmap report Scottish net zero roadmap). This conference, DeCarbScotland 2024, will provide an update on carbon capture and storage (CCUS) projects in Scotland, and industrial decarbonisation internationally. Local authority members can access discounted tickets by contacting chris@themarketingdepartment.scot.
Making circular economy practices work for you and your customers - 6th, 8th, 15th February, Stirling/Glasgow/Aberdeen
Zero Waste Scotland is looking for new circular entrepreneurs and businesses to take part in its free Meet the Market Programme. This programme offers expert workshops and customer panel sessions to help in the development of your circular economy business ideas and to test the concepts with potential customers. The aim is to give you confidence in your value proposition and ensure that it meets the needs of potential customers.
Shared Learning Event - Place Based Local Development Plans - 8th February, online
This session is open to any staff from local authorities, Key Agencies and Scottish Government with an interest in applying the Place Principle, please share with your colleagues. See invitation.
Flood Resilience Conference - 8 + 9 February 2024, Edinburgh
The conference theme for 2024 is Scotland’s Flood Resilient Future. The conference will be held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on 08-09 February 2024 and will be a hybrid event. More information.
Welsh Retrofit Revolution: Advancing Sustainable Social Housing - 14 February, Online
At this conference, you'll have the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in the retrofitting of social housing, including representatives from the Welsh government overseeing funding and progress, professionals implementing changes within their housing stock, contractors responsible for executing the retrofit measures, and experts addressing the skills gap challenge to ensure the success of these vital initiatives. Register here.
Statutory Guidance Engagement Workshop: Sustainable Procurement and the CE - 27 February, Online
This workshop will aim to gather feedback from Scottish public sector professionals on the Scottish Government's draft guidance chapter on 'Sustainable Procurement and the Circular Economy'. This workshop is designed specifically for public sector professionals within the Sustainable Scotland Network membership who a) work closely with the subject matter of the workshop; b) will be able to identify gaps or alternative approaches to the proposed content; and c) can advise on suitable levels of technical detail and structure for the guidance. Register here.
Heat, Housing and the Future of Net Zero Homes - 21 March, Edinburgh
Hosted in partnership with SSN and ECCI, this one-day conference will explore what practical steps are necessary to deliver a greater supply of affordable housing, whilst adhering to the more stringent energy standards. Find out more.
SCCAN Annual Gathering - 22 March, Glasgow
This event brings delegates together to celebrate achievements and share ideas and stories. Exploring ways to make their network of regional networks even more connected. This is an interactive experience where you can contribute, network and learn. Find out more.
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