Zero emissions building proposals go out to views

All new buildings in Scotland will be fitted with climate-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel heating systems from 1 April 2024, under proposals put out to consultation by the Scottish Government.

The New Building Heat Standard (Part II) consultation sets out plans that would mean direct emissions heating systems (DEH), such as those run on fossil fuel, would no longer be installed in any homes or non-domestic buildings warranted from that date, including building conversions. They would be replaced by alternatives such as heat pumps, solar and electric energy (but not bioenergy).

It follows a "high level" part 1 consultation in early 2021 which set out the Scottish Government's ambitions and gave a signal of what to expect ahead of 2024. Responses are said to have been predominantly supportive of the Government's intention.

The proposed approach now being consulted on is to amend the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 to implement the DEH prohibition, so that the focus is to regulate direct emissions produced at the point of use. Emissions produced during the generation or distribution of purchased thermal or electrical energy, including that delivered via a heat network, would be out of scope.

The present consultation also recognises the need for significant awareness raising among the public, with an engagement strategy to be ready by early next year.

Launching the consultation, Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie commented: "Scotland’s homes and buildings account for approximately a fifth of all our emissions, and we know that we need to take bold, ambitious steps to ensure we meet our climate obligations.

"New buildings will lead the way in cutting emissions, and earlier this year we published new energy standards that will cut emissions of all new-build homes by nearly a third.

"The proposed regulations are another major change to achieve our climate targets and make our homes and buildings warmer, greener and cheaper to run. We have been working with industry to inform the development of the proposed new regulations and I would urge individuals and organisations to share their views to help shape and inform their delivery."

Access the consultation here. The closing date for responses is 20 October 2022.