Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (Scottish Carbon Budgets) Amendment Regulations 2025: statement

Residential and Public (In Relation to Buildings in Those Sectors)

Emissions from the public and residential buildings sector have fallen from 9.9 MtCO2e at Baseline, to 6.0 MtCO2e in 2023. Building on progress to date, this sector will require the decarbonisation of the heat supply to our buildings, primarily through heat pump installation and the rollout of heat networks.

The next CCP will include plans to introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill further to recent consultation which will include provisions to boost heat network development through requirements to encourage large, non-domestic premises to connect to district heating when available. Ministers also intend for the Bill to include powers to set minimum energy efficiency standards for owner/occupier and non-domestic properties, subject to further consideration.

The Bill’s proposals will deliver tangible health and economic benefits for people and will not negatively affect those in fuel poverty.

The proposals and policies in the next CCP will also include the development of regulations under existing powers in the Energy Act 2011 to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard in the private rented sector.

The next CCP will include the contributions to emissions reductions that will continue to be made through our broad range of delivery programmes for advice and support for property owners related to energy efficiency and clean heating, and continue to offer a generous package of support for households looking to move to clean heat.

Both private and public funding and a range of financial products will be needed support the heat transition and we will respond shortly to recommendations from the independent Green Heat Finance Taskforce’s two reports.

The proposals and policies in the next CCP will also include our recently introduced New Build Heat Standard - a significant development in the transition to clean heat. It will continue to ensure that new buildings from here on are future-proofed with clean heating systems. We have also consulted on proposals for a Social Housing Net Zero Standard which sets the course for social housing. We are considering the ways in which the revised proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill may affect the scope and timing of the Standard and will continue to liaise with our partners in the social housing sector before confirming next steps.

Ensuring people understand what measures are appropriate for their individual properties and that they have confidence in the quality of work carried out is important in enabling action. We will therefore include policies relating to our Home Energy Scotland Advice Services (and Business Energy Scotland Advice Services), and funding for businesses, through the Green Heat Installer Engagement Programme, to secure accreditation and upskill their workforce in heat pump installation. We also fund a dedicated energy efficiency post in Trading Standards Scotland to identify and disrupt potential scams, protecting consumers from rogue traders.

Further action by the new UK Government in reserved areas is essential to help ensure a fair and affordable transition, in particular rebalancing gas and electricity prices.