07/04/2025
The Acting Minister for Climate Action made a statement in parliament on Thursday afternoon with regard to some important aspects on a revised Heat in Buildings Bill. Parliament TV coverage of the statement is available online here, at the 15:27 point: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-continued-april-3-2025
The purpose of the statement was to confirm the adjusted approach to the Heat in Buildings Bill that is intended to allow a better balance of the net zero ambitions, the reasonable responsibility of individuals, business and organisations, and importantly that any action does not place people into fuel poverty. The Minister has therefore announced a statutory target to decarbonise heating by 2045, rather than a prohibition of polluting heating systems. The new approach will be technology neutral, meaning that owners can choose the most appropriate system for their property, including biomass, and there will be a drive to make heat networks more investible for businesses and the public sector.
Finally, the Minister also confirmed that the Bill will include powers to set minimum energy efficiency standards for owner occupier and non-domestic properties, and they will be progressing regulations under existing powers to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard in the private rented sector (PRS MEES). These regulations would mean all privately rented properties, as far as possible, are to reach EPC C. Their intention here is to see improvements to the fabric of those homes, reduce energy demand and therefore likely reduce costs for tenants while supporting the transition to clean heating.
