British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS): Renewables Obligation - child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment Template

1. Brief Summary

Type of proposal:

• Scottish Statutory Instrument

Name the proposal, and describe its overall aims and intended purpose.

The Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Amendment (No 2.) Order 2026

The Renewables Obligation (RO), covering England and Wales, and the

Renewables Obligation (Scotland) (RO(S)), were first introduced in 2002, supporting a significant amount of the renewable generation capacity installed in the proceeding 15 years. Both schemes closed to new capacity in 2017.

A parallel scheme for Northern Ireland, The Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) was introduced from 2005.

It is essentially a subsidy scheme which gives accredited renewable generators additional income on top of the money they receive for selling their electricity on the wholesale market.

The ROS is legally distinct from the RO and operates under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009. Whilst the schemes are legally distinct, their operation is, for the most part, aligned.

The amendments represent a technical change to a support scheme for renewable energy generators which will exempt eligible businesses from paying the costs of the Renewables Obligation Scotland.

Start date of proposal’s development: 05/01/2026

Start date of CRWIA process: 20/07/2026

2. With reference given to the requirements of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (Annex 1), which aspects of the proposal are relevant to/impact upon children’s rights?

Answer: No aspects of the proposal are relevant to, or will impact on, children’s rights.

3. Please provide a summary of the evidence gathered which will be used to inform your decision-making and the content of the proposal

Evidence from:

• existing research/reports/policy expertise

Not applicable – this proposal is a technical change to a legacy support scheme for renewable energy generators which will have no impact on costs beyond reducing those of eligible businesses. It therefore has no impact on children’s rights and/or wellbeing.

• consultation/feedback from stakeholders

Not applicable – While a full public consultation was undertaken, this proposal is a technical change to a legacy support scheme for renewable energy generators which will have no impact on costs beyond reducing those of eligible businesses. It therefore has no impact on children’s rights and/or wellbeing.

None of the responses received highlighted any concerns over the impacts on children or young people.

• consultation/feedback directly from children and young people

Not applicable – While a full public consultation was undertaken, this proposal is a technical change to a legacy support scheme for renewable energy generators which will have no impact on costs beyond reducing those of eligible businesses. It therefore has no impact on children’s rights and/or wellbeing.

None of the responses received came from, or highlighted any concerns over the impacts on children or young people.

4. Further to the evidence described at ‘3’ have you identified any 'gaps' in evidence which may prevent determination of impact? If yes, please provide an explanation of how they will be addressed

Not applicable - this proposal is a technical change to a legacy support scheme for renewable energy generators which will have no impact on costs beyond reducing those of eligible businesses. It therefore has no impact on children’s rights and/or wellbeing.

5. Analysis of Evidence

Not applicable - this proposal is a technical change to a legacy support scheme for renewable energy generators which will have no impact on costs beyond reducing those of eligible businesses. It therefore has no impact on children’s rights and/or wellbeing.

6. What changes (if any) have been made to the proposal as a result of this assessment?

Not applicable – As this amendment has no impact on the rights or wellbeing of children, no amendments are required.