Decarbonise homes and non-domestic buildings through strong financial support

Chapter 6.2 Buildings

Decarbonise homes and non-domestic buildings through strong financial support

Decarbonise Scotland’s homes and non-domestic buildings through strong financial support.

Local Authorities

International

UK Govt

Scottish Govt

Emissions reduction

Behaviour change

In the current cost of living crisis, tackling the problems of inefficient and poor quality housing is especially urgent but policies must ensure that the cost of upgrades and retrofits must not fall on tenants. In particular policies must address the issue of exploitative landlords. Living Rent are right to say¹⁴⁸ that the costs of upgrades and retrofits must not fall on tenants, nor should they be evicted following rising rents. Tenants must be fully consulted and approve of any changes to their homes and lived environments.

Women and marginalised groups are often priced out of buying or renting good quality housing,¹⁴⁹ and lack of accessibility means that disabled people face a limited choice of properties. Key issues coming from a SWBG Women’s survey speak further to this point about the poor housing conditions women are facing and the challenges that their current home circumstances (i.e. renting) present for carrying out climate-friendly improvements to the home.¹⁵⁰

Some disabled people need to keep their homes warmer than normal, and equipment such as power chairs or oxygen machines can increase electricity consumption considerably. Financial support mechanisms should be designed with these additional needs in mind.

Delivering on ambitious plans for decarbonising homes and other buildings requires financial support including:

fuel poverty support
householder/building owner grants and loans
other private sector financing mechanisms to reduce upfront costs
action to tackle the unfair imbalance between gas and electricity pricing to reduce running costs and make electric heating the more cost effective option

Investing in decarbonising homes is a win-win for tackling energy efficiency, warmer homes, improved health, reduced fuel poverty, addressing gender inequality and assisting families in the cost of living crisis. And also creating local jobs.

Action on low-carbon heat improves energy security (domestic renewables instead of imported gas), creates additional economic activity through installation and manufacture (e.g. the heat pump factory in Livingston), and removes fossil price instability as a driver of fuel poverty.

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