Scotland facing a ‘monumental task’ with eco housing

August 9, 2022August 17, 2022 Duncan

Scotland faces a ‘monumental but essential task’ if it is to overhaul its aged housing stock and find practical solutions to reduce emissions and address the climate emergency. That was the message from Patrick Harvie as he officially opened the first-ever Green Home Festival as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights was the keynote speaker at the launch of the five-day renewables jamboree, which has been organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV).

Speaking to delegates at the Scottish headquarters of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Patrick outlined the scale of the challenge and some of the measures the Scottish Government was taking to try and tackle today’s environmental issues.

The Scottish Greens Co-Leader says: “Our homes and workplaces account for around a fifth of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Our statutory target for 2030 means that we need to reduce emissions from heating buildings by 68% below their level in 2020.

“This is a monumental but essential task. Our building stock is relatively old and wasn’t always built to high energy standards. This legacy of poor energy efficiency has contributed to emissions and fuel poverty, so we need to start drastically improving that standard.

“By 2030, we want to see the large majority of homes achieving a level of energy efficiency at least equivalent to EPC C – with all homes meeting that standard by 2033 where feasible and cost effective. This will reduce emissions from our buildings, but it will also help make our energy more affordable, by removing poor energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty.”

Patrick, who is MSP for the Glasgow region, also warns that, as well as improving energy efficiency, Scotland needs to switch to zero-direct-emissions heating.

He continues: “Meeting our 2030 target means that we need over a million homes and the equivalent of 50,000 non-domestic buildings to switch from fossil fuels. This is a huge transition, affecting communities, businesses and homes across Scotland.

“Getting there will need a much faster installation rate for these zero-direct-emissions heating systems. In recent years that rate has been around 3,000 homes annually, but we need to reach around 200,000 each year in the latter part of this decade.”

Patrick also says that the cost-of-living crisis and unprecedented surges in energy prices make the challenge even harder and the government can’t foot the bill on its own.

He explains: “Our funding will make a huge difference to the heat transition. But the cost of transforming our building stock – around £33 billion by 2045 – can’t be met by the government alone.

“Our Green Heat Finance Task Force is now working on innovative solutions to maximise private sector investments, and to find new ways to help spread the upfront cost of making properties warmer, greener and more energy efficient.”

Patrick concludes: “We know there will be more issues to resolve, and we intend to tackle these collaboratively, drawing on the best knowledge and ideas from across society.

“The climate emergency is already here. But if we adopt many of the actions and ideas being discussed at this week-long Green Home Festival, they will stand us in good stead to mitigate its worst consequences.”

Patrick was the guest of honour at the event at 10 Charlotte Square in central Edinburgh, where delegates gathered to kick off a week-long series of events, delivering practical assistance and advice to help Scotland become a net zero nation.

Other speakers at the launch included Green Home Festival Co-Organiser Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders, and Sandra Cummings, a Director at Faithful+Gould and Vice Chair of the RICS Scotland Board.

Gordon says: “We were grateful to Patrick Harvie for opening the festival, and we share his view that the time for waiting is over and urgent action is needed now.

“It is more important than ever that the construction industry and government work together to find practical solutions that will help us build the net zero nation needed for future generations.”

The Green Home Festival will deliver 12 in-person and virtual presentations on green topics – targeting homeowners, construction professionals, housing associations and local authorities.

With contributions from the likes of SEPA, Home Energy Scotland, SELECT, SNIPEF, Gardiner and Theobald and Atelier Ten, the range of topics will include: