Net zero heating and energy efficiency standards - phase 3 and 4: qualitative research

2. Introduction and objectives

The Scottish Government published the Heat in Buildings Strategy in October 2021, setting out their vision for the future of heat in buildings in Scotland together with the actions they are taking in this sector to deliver their climate change commitments, maximise economic opportunities and ensure a just transition which includes addressing fuel poverty. The Strategy includes enhanced proposals for regulatory standards that will, dependent on further consultation, introduce energy performance standards for homes in Scotland, including targets for improved energy efficiency and zero emissions heating to come into force from 2025.

The Scottish Government’s regulatory approach is still under development and consideration is being given to the relative merits of different trigger points. These standards will need to be developed in line with the principles set out by the Just Transition Commission^[1] and be fair to all. The success of the Heat in Buildings Strategy will also be reliant on widespread understanding and accepting new regulatory interventions.

It is vital that the Scottish Government when introducing future policy, takes account of people’s attitudes to installing zero direct emissions heating and energy efficiency measures in their homes and ensures that all potential barriers are identified and mitigated as appropriate. The aim of this qualitative research, undertaken by Energy Saving Trust and Taylor McKenzie, was to develop detailed insight into householders’ attitudes toward these issues, helping shape appropriate policy and ensuring that the Scottish Government can successfully achieve the goals set out in the Heat in Buildings Strategy.

2.1. Aim of the research

The overarching aim of this research was to explore the attitudes of domestic property owners to the proposed regulatory standards for zero direct emissions heating and energy efficiency in domestic properties in Scotland. The research explored the attitudes of owners of different housing types and across a range of different sociodemographic groups, including geographic location, as well as gender, age, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.

During phase three and phase four, the research built on findings from phases one and two to collect insights and analyse further the following questions:

• What are domestic property owners’ views on the imposition of regulatory standards for both zero emissions heating and energy efficiency in domestic properties over the time period out to 2045?
• What are domestic property owners’ views on net zero and the Scottish Government’s aspiration to reach net zero by 2045?
• What are domestic property owners’ views on specific potential models for standards and how would those apply across society?
• What barriers might domestic property owners face in meeting any standards set?
• What do domestic property owners believe may help them meet any standards, and who should provide this help?
• What level and type of information do domestic property owners require, and from whom, to instruct them on how to meet any standards?
• How do domestic property owners perceive the interrelationship between any standards and climate change, and to what extent does the role of standards in tackling climate change affect their attitudes towards it?
• What do domestic property owners feel would be the ‘fairest’ approach to implementing these regulations and who should be first to ‘lead’/ start these changes?

During phase three and phase four, the research addressed the following new questions:

• Which one of the specific potential models for standards is considered the fairest according to domestic property owners, based on their personal circumstances and for society overall?
• What are domestic property owners’ views on the help and support already being provided by the Scottish Government?
• What are domestic property owners’ views on how best to raise awareness and educate people on the proposed regulations and which should the role of the Scottish Government be in this transition?