The Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing aims to improve the energy efficiency of social housing in Scotland. It will help to reduce energy consumption, fuel poverty and the emission of greenhouse gases. It will make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions by 42 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050 in line with the requirements set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
The Developing an Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing consultation was published alongside the Sustainable Housing Strategy consultation which brings together Scottish Government policies on climate change, housing quality, energy efficiency, fuel poverty, planning and the built environment. It sets out a route map and vision to 2030 for high-quality, warm, low-carbon homes. The setting of minimum standards for energy efficiency in the social sector will lead the way in retrofitting Scotland’s housing stock and will inform the potential future regulation of private sector housing.
Social landlords, individual tenants, tenant groups and other stakeholders were invited to engage in the consultation which closed in September 2012. We received 86 responses, all of those where permission for publication was granted have been published. A full analysis of the consultation responses has been published together with an analysis main findings report. Views expressed in the responses will be taken into account as we develop the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing which is scheduled for publication in the first half of 2013.
Events
The Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing and the wider Sustainable Housing Strategy were discussed at a series of events.
Impact Assessments
Three impact assessments are being undertaken to support the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing: the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA). Interested parties were invited to comment on these and all relevant comments received as part of the consultation process will be taken into account as the final assessments are prepared.
Case Studies
To help landlords plan for the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing we provided a series of supporting example case studies showing how various measures can improve the energy efficiency of their dwellings and help them to meet the standard. The examples will be further developed in response to views expressed in the consultation responses.
A stakeholder working group which helped steer the development of the consultation will be closely involved in the standard’s further development.
Image credit: Zieak