The report of the expert panel appointed to look at ways to make homes and buildings more energy efficient has called for staged increases in energy standards for new buildings every three years to substantially reduce emissions.

Also included amongst the 56 recommendations to Scottish Government Ministers from the panel is the aim of net zero carbon emissions for space heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation within the next ten years, if practical, and the ambition to have total life zero carbon buildings by 2030.

Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson said: “The expert panel has developed a coherent strategy that points the way to zero-carbon buildings. I want to thank the panel members for their input, and in particular Lynne Sullivan for chairing the panel and those experts who attended from Norway, Denmark and Austria.

“Scotland already leads the UK in building energy standards and planning policy stipulating low and zero carbon equipment in new developments. The panel's recommended standards are even more demanding. If implemented, they would make a significant contribution to our proposed 80 per cent reduction in emissions by 2050.

“The first task ahead is to assess whether the standards and the recommendations on existing buildings can be implemented. We also have to examine the costs and benefits, in partnership with the development and construction industry. It is essential that we are fully aware of the cost implications for future strategic infrastructure investment and affordable housing programmes budgets.”

Lynne Sullivan, chair of the panel, added: “We have taken a pragmatic approach to permit effective implementation, whilst detailed definitions, targets and specific measures will have to be further developed for the strategy to be meaningful and have impact.”

Nanette Milne MSP, the Conservative’s Shadow Minister for the Environment, welcomed the report.

“During the elections we called for a review of building standards to incorporate world-class energy saving design. Therefore, this report and the minority Government’s commitment to develop this alongside the construction industry is very welcome. The alternative would see high energy targets on put houses that consequently pushes up prices even further.

“Climate change is an immense world concern. Scotland is a small emitter of carbon, in absolute and relative terms. Nonetheless, we have our own moral obligation to preserve our planet, and do all we can to reduce the size of Scotland’s carbon footprint.”

One person has commented on this article.

1. Low carbon buildings strategy published
Brian Menzies, Unregistered

We mustn't add provisos of any kind along the lines of "Scotland is a small emitter of carbon..." as was stated at the end of the article. In per capita terms we really are up there amongst the highest and need to address this. We not only have this obligation, but can respond in a way which enthuses, drives innovation and shows the country to be forward thinking and great place to be. Let's get committed to the process of reducing our carbon footprints, and doing so through more sustainable buildings is an incredibly effective way of creating change on many levels.

Posted 2007-12-13 13:08:11

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