Closing date: 8 March 2024
Consultation document and information on how to respond can be found here.
In relation to The Climate Change (Emissions Reductions Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, Scotland is required to reach net zero by 2045, as well as to achieve a 75% reduction in emissions by 2030 and a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040. The Scottish Government states that the third largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland are produced by the way we heat our homes, workplaces and other buildings, through “direct emissions heating systems” (such as gas and oil boilers).
To meet their legal obligations, the Scottish Government proposes to introduce legislation which will require all homeowners and businesses to transition to zero emissions heating systems by 2045. The prohibition on polluting heating systems will only apply to the main heating system of a property.
Specifically, the consultation proposes that new laws will be established to confirm that the Scottish Government will:
- Reconfirm that the use of polluting heating systems will be prohibited after 2045
- As a pathway to 2045, require those purchasing a home or business premises to end their use of polluting heating systems within a fixed period following completion of the sale
- Introduce a new law that will require homeowners to make sure that their homes meet a reasonable minimum energy efficiency standard by 2033 (will NOT apply to non-domestic buildings)
- Private landlords will be required to meet the minimum energy efficiency standard by 2028
The Scottish Government estimate that around 49% of non-domestic buildings are using polluting heating systems at present. This will clearly have a significant impact on the majority of small businesses in Scotland if introduced.
Our response will focus on analysing the information provided in the response, with a focus on how the consultation proposes to support businesses to make the regulatory changes and whether the needs of small businesses have been properly considered.
While it is understood that the purpose of the consultation is to seek views from those affected by the proposals, it raises questions around the availability of the proposed clean heating solutions (heat pumps, modern efficient storage heaters and heat networks) to everyone, access to suitable finance to support the transition and to who exemptions will apply.
FSB is keen to hear views from members on these proposals to feed into our consultation response. We are holding a roundtable session from 11am-12pm on Wednesday 28 February to help members feed into our response. Attendees will receive a briefing to support them to engage in this in advance. If you would like to participate in this session, please register your details at [email protected]
Individual responses to the consultation are also encouraged, and a guide to support businesses who would like to submit their own response will be made available.
