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STV News
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- STV News
Reaching net zero by 2045 requires ‘immediate action at pace and scale'
Achieving Scotland's net zero target by 2045 will require 'immediate action at pace and scale', independent experts have told Holyrood ministers. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) said the country needs to see a 'rapid increase' in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads while the installation of heat pumps must also 'accelerate rapidly'. MSPs also stressed a switch to EVs and alternative heating systems could help Scotland reduce carbon emissions. But the CCC said: 'Getting to net zero by 2045 will require immediate action, at pace and scale.' Its latest report for the Scottish Government said while the CCC could offer advice, 'decisions on the exact pathway and policies within devolved powers are for the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament'. However, the CCC set out a 'pathway' for reaching net zero by 2045, saying as part of this the number 'fully electric' should increase from about 2.2% of cars and 0.8% of vans in 2023 to 'around three-fifths of cars and vans' by 2035, rising again to 94% over the next 10 years. Two-fifths of homes should be heated by low-carbon electric systems by 2035, it added, saying the 'majority' of these would be heat pumps, with this then rising to 92% of properties by 2045. To achieve this, the CCC said that 'annual heat pump installations in existing homes will need to accelerate rapidly, reaching nearly 35,000 by 2030'. However, it stressed this 'rapid increase in installation rates is feasible', although it said 'immediate policy support' would be needed. The CCC also said it was 'disappointing' Scottish Government plans to require heating systems to be converted to low-carbon technologies after a property sold 'have been abandoned' by ministers as they revamped the Heat in Buildings Bill. 'Electric technologies are now the clear low-carbon choice in many areas,' the CCC said. 'Technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicles (EVs) are available today, and could be deployed rapidly, provided the right incentives are in place.' While the number of public EV charge points is already 7% higher per person in Scotland than the UK average, ministers were told the number of chargers would 'need to continue to increase in line with EV uptake'. With the changes relying on a switch away from fossil fuels to electricity, the CCC stressed the importance of 'making electricity cheaper'. It said this was a 'key recommendation' already made to the UK Government – but said action on this 'will be essential to delivering Scotland's targets, in tandem with action by the Scottish Government'. The comment came as the CCC published its suggested carbon budgets for the Scottish Government to adopt. Ministers pledged to introduce carbon budgeting in the wake of the decision last year to scrap the interim target of cutting emissions by 75% by 2030 – with this said to be 'out of reach'. The CCC is now proposing the Scottish Government should have carbon budgets where the annual average emission levels are 57% lower than 1990 levels for the period 2026 to 2030, with this rising to 69% for 2031 to 2035, 80% for the period 2036 to 2040 and then 94% lower for 2041 to 2045. Interim CCC chair Professor Piers Forster said: 'Scotland's new system of carbon budgets will help guide the action we need to get to net zero by 2045. We're delighted to be able to present a good news story about how Scotland can decarbonise. 'But we do need to see action now. 'The Scottish Government has devolved powers to deliver the necessary emissions reductions in key sectors, particularly buildings, surface transport, agriculture, and land use. We encourage them to exercise these powers as quickly and fully as possible.' Claire Daly, head of policy and advocacy at WWF Scotland said: 'Today's advice from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) to the Scottish Government should be a light-bulb moment that it needs to take action, and it needs to take it now. ' She added that measures such as the switch to heat pumps and improved support for nature-friendly farming practices were 'not new ideas', adding: 'Over recent times we've failed to see the ambition and momentum needed in both sectors.' Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland, said: 'Scotland's climate action so far has been too slow, too shallow and too soft on polluters and that's got to change. 'To stick within these proposed carbon budgets we must swap delay and dither with proper investment in warm homes, sustainable travel and green jobs.' Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said the government would 'carefully consider the committee's advice before bringing forward regulations to set carbon budget levels for Scotland'. Ms Martin said: 'The carbon budgets proposed via secondary legislation must provide an achievable pathway to net zero in 2045 – one which delivers better health outcomes, puts more money in people's pockets, and leaves no workers behind. 'That is the approach the Scottish Government has always taken and measures announced in our Programme for Government, like abolishing peak rail fares for good and delivering 24,000 additional public electric vehicle charge points by 2030, will contribute to that. 'That will be followed by a new Climate Change Plan, outlining our policies and proposals for reducing emissions between 2026 and 2040. This will be brought forward shortly after the carbon budget secondary legislation has been approved.' 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The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government will simplify heat pump grant process
But the stand-out new pledge has been the plan to simplify the Home Energy Scotland process and it has been welcomed by both heat industry and fuel poverty, net zero and energy efficiency campaigners. Head of Aira heat pump manufacturer in Scotland, Nicola Mahmood, for instance, described how the challenges of the system was causing customer loss in confidence. 'The current timeline of three months or more to navigate the complex HES application process is unacceptable. These delays are leaving households in limbo.' What does the programme promise for heat in buildings? Yesterday first minister John Swinney presented a programme which highlighted, and which said that it was 'committed to decarbonising Scotland's buildings in a way that does not penalise individuals but does help tackle the climate emergency, rising energy bills, and fuel poverty'. Among its intentions is that it will support '20,000 households to save up to £500 on energy bills per year, by investing £300 million in 2025-26 to help households and other building owners install energy efficiency and clean heating measures'. The figure, roughly in line with the Scottish Budget, is no surprise. It has also committed to introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill, which will set 'targets for installing clean heating systems by 2045 – giving a clear signal to home and buildings owners to act when upgrading their heating system' and 'including provisions to support development of heat networks. Making it simpler for homeowners The notable new promise in the Programme for Government is that it will improve 'public-facing schemes' by simplifying the application process and 'ensuring that Home Energy Scotland is recognised as a single access point'. Responding to this, Robin Parker, sustainable future mission manager at the think tank Nesta Scotland, said a simplified application process could "help boost uptake". "Heat pumps," he noted, "are the most efficient low-carbon technology for keeping homes warm. The independent advice service Home Energy Scotland provides is critical support for achieving Scotland's decarbonisation goals - so it needs to be as easy as possible to use for homeowners." In my coverage of heat pumps and energy efficiency over the past year one of the key complaints has been the battle with the bureaucracy and difficulties with the system. Homeowners have described the struggle to get estimates from installers, the lack of support and the time-consuming nature of the process. Earlier this year, at Glasgow's Retrofit Summit, housing and energy campaigners even called for network of 'one-stop shops' to help the nation electrify its homes and move away from harmful fossil fuels. Dr Jane May Morrison had a heat pump fitted at her tenement with the help of Loco Home Retrofit (image: Colin Mearns)Back then, Gillian Campbell, co-director of Existing Homes Alliance called for "an evolution of the current Home Energy Scotland scheme, so homeowners can access the kind of advice and support they need to upgrade their homes" and a "register of one-stop-shops, providing advice, technical expertise and access to financial support has been shown to work in countries across Europe.' Today, Aira Head of Scotland, Nicola Mahmood, welcomed the simplifying, saying, "The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grants and Loans Scheme is overdue for reform, and we welcome First Minister John Swinney's commitment to simplifying the process for households. Aira, alongside many industry partners, has been campaigning relentlessly for action—and now is the time to deliver it. As well as leaving households struggling, said Mahmood, delays are also 'creating serious cash flow concerns for smaller businesses trying to work within the scheme'. 'Installers are facing frustration, and consumers are losing confidence in a system that should be enabling - not hindering - Scotland's net zero transition.' Mahmood called on the Scottish Government to follow a series of 'necessary steps' to change this and 'rebuild public trust'. The first, she says, is that ministers should 'commission an independent audit to identify system bottlenecks and set clear, enforceable timelines for grant approvals The second is that the Scottish Government should 'publish end-to-end customer journey data, including the average time from application submission to grant award.' Thirdly, they should 'release monthly reports detailing how many applications are received, processed, and approved. Mahmood said: 'These are not administrative tweaks, they are critical reforms. Without them, the generous scheme risks falling short of its potential to tackle Scotland's most urgent challenges: the climate emergency, rising energy bills, and persistent fuel poverty.' Last year I visited a heat pump installation with Chris Carus, CEO of Glasgow-based Loco Home Retrofit, a community interest company that already provides a one-stop shop. Responding to this week's announcements, he said, 'Insulating our homes and electrifying our heating has huge benefits for people in terms of comfort, bills and health. So we welcome the commitment to simplify the grant and loan scheme. The existing process is deterring both households and contractors. 'Heat pumps can provide greater comfort and significant cost savings. There is no 'penalising' homeowners, provided that contractors have the right skills and households have good independent advice. 'We also encourage the Scottish Government to signpost households to local one stop shops such as Loco Home which provides expert independent surveys and insured, bespoke advice in Glasgow and west central Scotland.' READ MORE: Bill welcomed by industry and workers Campaigners and industry also welcomed the confirmation that the Heat in Buildings Bill will be introduced before the end of the current session. Arran Donald, installation manager at IMS Heat Pumps Ltd in Perth, said: 'We know that cleaner heating, such as heat pumps, can cut bills, and we know that stronger action from government on standards and training will really help more households to benefit. The Clean Heat Bill is a big opportunity to make renewable heating the easy, obvious choice for more people across Scotland.' heat pump installation (Image: PA) But others drew attention to the fact that the bill has been a long time coming. Mike Robinson, chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: "With the legislation already overdue and watered-down, major questions remain over how it will accelerate the positive impacts on our health, bills and planet that are so urgently needed.' Chris Carus of Loco Home Retrofit described the bill as a "retreat", saying, 'It's good to see the Scottish Government repeat its intention to introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill. However, the new proposals are a disappointing retreat from the quite sensible proposals they put forward for consultation in 2023. Those proposals centred on upgrading heating when moving to a new home - the best time to make a change. 'Removing fossil fuel heating by 2045 is far too late and does not fit with our international climate justice obligations. Telling homeowners they don't need to act for 20 years means there is no new stimulus for the market today. As a social enterprise in the green economy, we're facing an uncertain future while households receive mixed messages from the government about the need for action. A hostile, unstable climate will be the real penalty for slow action on climate change." Still others warned that lack of certainty was already affecting the industry. Gillian Campbell of EHA said: 'We still do not have any clarity on whether the Bill will give industry the certainty they need to invest in the skills and jobs needed to upgrade Scotland's homes. Unless we get that soon, Scotland runs the risk of missing out on significant economic growth resulting from the creation of new jobs in manufacturing and installation.' 'This Bill is also an opportunity to make our homes warmer and healthier through improved energy efficiency – improving comfort, reducing costs, whilst also cutting carbon emissions. With the eyewatering levels of fuel poverty in Scotland, we can't afford to let this slip any further.' 'This Bill has been a long time coming and what we need now from the Scottish Government is a Bill that gives clarity, along with a robust delivery plan that sets out a clear route map to energy efficient, zero emissions homes well in advance of the 2045 deadline.'
Telegraph
03-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
SNP abandons plan to force Scots to scrap their gas boilers
The SNP has abandoned its plan to force householders to scrap their gas boilers and install heat pumps after admitting that it was unaffordable. Alasdair Allan, the SNP's acting climate change minister, said a new Heat in Buildings Bill 'moves away from penalising individuals' who refused to get rid of gas-powered heating. Instead, he said targets would be established 'for government to reach', with ministers working to do 'everything within our power to reduce costs for people'. In an extraordinary U-turn on the SNP's previous stance, Dr Allan admitted that the cost of living crisis made it 'simply unaffordable' for many householders and businesses to 'make great changes in the near future' to their heating systems. The minister said the Bill would aim to decarbonise heating by 2045 but he provided no other deadline or timetable for the switch, or any costs. However, he said the legislation would introduce new powers to set minimum energy standards for properties 'as part of a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by heating systems'. This included new regulations stating that all privately rented properties must have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of at least C. Under its original energy efficiency strategy, the Scottish Government aimed to phase out the need to install new or replacement fossil fuel boilers in off-grid properties from 2025, and from homes connected to the gas mains from 2030. A 'backstop' date of 2045 was set for all homes to use zero direct emissions heating systems, under the plan, which was unveiled when the SNP and the Greens were in coalition. But the plan appeared to land householders with the overwhelming bulk of the estimated £33 billion cost of decarbonising Scotland's buildings. The Scottish Government had previously admitted that the average cost of installing a heat pump was around £10,000, even before the recent surge in inflation. This was around four times the £2,500 cost of replacing a fossil fuel boiler. Meghan Gallacher, the Scottish Tories' shadow housing secretary, said: 'We repeatedly warned the Scottish Government that their Heat in Buildings Bill was a farce, but time and time again they dug in their heels and refused to listen.' She added: 'Today's rehashed Bill still provides no clarity on the costs to the public. 'Rather than continually setting net zero targets that they fail to meet, the SNP must finally outline a fair and affordable transition for hard-pressed, over-taxed Scots.' The Scottish Government will table the new version of the Bill this year, which they hope will gain Royal Assent before next May's Holyrood elections. Dr Allan insisted that setting a target to decarbonise heating would send a 'strong signal to homeowners, landlords and other building owners on the need to prepare for change'. However, he accepted the upfront costs customers have to pay for 'clean heating systems remain higher than those for fossil fuel systems'. Dr Allan said ministers had listened to concerns that the original plans risked 'burdening every individual householder with an overly onerous responsibility' as the country seeks to move away from fossil fuels. In a statement to MSPs at Holyrood, he said that the new approach 'moves away from penalising individuals and instead commits to collective action'. But Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens co-leader who unveiled the original plan to get rid of boilers, accused his former SNP colleagues of setting targets that were 'utterly meaningless without action and leadership'. He said the new Bill stripped 'out almost all of the serious policy measures', adding: 'This will keep more people stuck on gas, which is bad for our planet and will continue to punish people all across our country by forcing them to fork out while the fossil fuel companies post record profits.' Anna Gardiner, rural property policy adviser for landowners' group Scottish Land & Estates, praised the Scottish Government's 'more balanced approach'. But she added: 'We do, however, hold real concerns regarding the vagueness of approach on rental properties meeting EPC rating 'C'. 'While we support the ambition to improve energy efficiency in the rental sector, we need clear guidance and support mechanisms to ensure that property owners can meet these targets in a fair and practical way.'
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
No legal requirement to update heating in new bill
The Scottish government has announced a revised plan to decarbonise Scotland's heating systems by 2045. Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin scrapped the previous plan last month, saying it would "make people poorer". The revised Heat in Buildings Bill sets targets for decarbonisation but it stops short of legally requiring homeowners and businesses to replace their heating systems by 2045, as outlined in the previous version. Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie, who drafted the previous bill, warned that the government was "watering down" the legislation and and "stripping away almost all of its serious policy measures". Acting Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan said the Scottish government would bring forward the revised bill for consideration by the Scottish Parliament later in 2025. Ministers scrap green heating plans for new homes Scottish government scraps climate change targets The production of heat accounts for more than half of Scotland's energy demands and is the largest contributor to the country's carbon emissions. MSPs have already passed legislation committing the country to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. Proposals drawn up while the Scottish Greens were still in the government would have required property owners to switch from "polluting" heating systems, such as gas boilers, to more environmentally-friendly alternatives like heat pumps. Mr Allan said the 2045 target sends a "strong signal to homeowners, landlords and other building owners on the need to prepare for change". However, he accepted the upfront costs customers have to pay for "clean heating systems remain higher than those for fossil fuel systems". He told MSPs at Holyrood that the new approach "moves away from penalising individuals and instead commits to collective action". Mr Allan added: "Instead of placing prohibitions on every homeowner, we will establish targets for government to reach." Harvie - who recently announced plans to step down as co-leader of the Scottish Greens - said his original legislation was being "gutted" and warned that the government's new approach was "very clearly going to fail". He added: "If there is one thing that we have learned about climate policy in recent years, it is that setting targets without decisive action to meet them is meaningless." He also claimed that not including a "property purchase trigger" - which would have required people buying a home to commit to changing the heating system to a greener alternative within a fixed time period - would mean a "dramatically slower uptake of clean heating in Scotland". Labour also raised concerns, with Paul O'Kane highlighting how the Scottish government had abandoned its target of cutting emissions by 75% by 2030. He said: "Given the government has failed to deliver on their climate change targets, and literally broke their own legislation on it, how can the people and industries of Scotland have faith that they will deliver and meet heat in building targets?" Conservative housing spokesperson Meghan Gallacher said the "rehashed bill still provides no clarity on the costs to the public". She said: "Rather than continually setting net-zero targets that they fail to meet, the SNP must finally outline a fair and affordable transition for hard-pressed, over-taxed Scots." Charities have warned that the legislation "risks being a toothless bill". Io Hadjicosta, from WWF Scotland, said Scots were seeing "yet more targets without meaningful measures to provide certainty to industry or to reduce emissions". Lewis Ryder-Jones, from Oxfam Scotland, said: "Weakening Scotland's clean-heat plans risks leaving people to struggle with sky-high bills and cold, draughty homes while pouring cold water on the transition to a greener Scotland that works for everyone." What is a heat pump and how much do they cost?
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
No legal requirement to update heating systems in new bill
The Scottish government has announced a revised plan to decarbonise Scotland's heating systems by Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin scrapped the previous plan last month, saying it would "make people poorer".The revised Heat in Buildings Bill sets targets for decarbonisation but it stops short of legally requiring homeowners and businesses to replace their heating systems by 2045, as outlined in the previous Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie, who drafted the previous bill, warned that the government was "watering down" the legislation and and "stripping away almost all of its serious policy measures". Acting Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan said the Scottish government would bring forward the revised bill for consideration by the Scottish Parliament later in 2025. The production of heat accounts for more than half of Scotland's energy demands and is the largest contributor to the country's carbon have already passed legislation committing the country to achieving net-zero emissions by drawn up while the Scottish Greens were still in the government would have required property owners to switch from "polluting" heating systems, such as gas boilers, to more environmentally-friendly alternatives like heat Allan said the 2045 target sends a "strong signal to homeowners, landlords and other building owners on the need to prepare for change".However, he accepted the upfront costs customers have to pay for "clean heating systems remain higher than those for fossil fuel systems".He told MSPs at Holyrood that the new approach "moves away from penalising individuals and instead commits to collective action".Mr Allan added: "Instead of placing prohibitions on every homeowner, we will establish targets for government to reach." Harvie - who recently announced plans to step down as co-leader of the Scottish Greens - said his original legislation was being "gutted" and warned that the government's new approach was "very clearly going to fail".He added: "If there is one thing that we have learned about climate policy in recent years, it is that setting targets without decisive action to meet them is meaningless."He also claimed that not including a "property purchase trigger" - which would have required people buying a home to commit to changing the heating system to a greener alternative within a fixed time period - would mean a "dramatically slower uptake of clean heating in Scotland". 'No clarity on costs' Labour also raised concerns, with Paul O'Kane highlighting how the Scottish government had abandoned its target of cutting emissions by 75% by said: "Given the government has failed to deliver on their climate change targets, and literally broke their own legislation on it, how can the people and industries of Scotland have faith that they will deliver and meet heat in building targets?"Conservative housing spokesperson Meghan Gallacher said the "rehashed bill still provides no clarity on the costs to the public".She said: "Rather than continually setting net-zero targets that they fail to meet, the SNP must finally outline a fair and affordable transition for hard-pressed, over-taxed Scots."Charities have warned that the legislation "risks being a toothless bill".Io Hadjicosta, from WWF Scotland, said Scots were seeing "yet more targets without meaningful measures to provide certainty to industry or to reduce emissions".Lewis Ryder-Jones, from Oxfam Scotland, said: "Weakening Scotland's clean-heat plans risks leaving people to struggle with sky-high bills and cold, draughty homes while pouring cold water on the transition to a greener Scotland that works for everyone."
