For some time we have been calling on all political parties
to designate energy efficiency a national infrastructure priority and in
Scotland this included meetings with Scottish Government Ministers prior to the
General Election. We were therefore
delighted with the recent announcement from the Scottish Government.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 09th
June 2015, Climate Change Minister Aileen McLeod revealed that Scotland’s
Energy Efficiency Programme will be made an infrastructure priority in an
effort to improve the energy efficiency ratings of both homes and non-domestic
buildings over the next 20 years.
The Scottish Government will also examine how supplier
obligations on energy efficiency and fuel poverty can be designed for Scottish
circumstances and to leverage private sector investment using new devolved
powers in the Scotland Bill.
Dr McLeod said: “The Scottish Government has already
increased investment in domestic energy efficiency – from £99m last year to
£119m this year. And since 2009 we have allocated over half a billion pounds on
fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes.
“But we must do more to meet Scotland’s world-leading and
ambitious climate change targets. That is why I am announcing that improving
the energy efficiency of Scotland’s buildings will be designated a national infrastructure
priority.”
The announcement represents real progress for energy
efficiency and the call from industry that energy efficiency should be
designated a national infrastructure priority by central Government and all
political parties. Further details could
be announced in the Scottish Budget and Infrastructure Investment Plan, which
are expected in the Autumn.
Below is the press release issued by the Scottish Government
last week
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