Scotland’s new plan to focus on climate change and energy efficiency

The Scottish Government has committed to new climate change and energy efficiency measures. Setting out the plan for the next 12 months, the government says it will invest more than […]

The Scottish Government has committed to new climate change and energy efficiency measures.

Setting out the plan for the next 12 months, the government says it will invest more than half a billion pounds in energy efficiency in a bid to combat fuel poverty in the next four years.

This year it will provide £10 million to fund projects which deliver the “greatest reduction in carbon emissions and support Scotland’s most deprived communities”.

It will also launch an Energy Efficiency Programme in 2018 with accompanying regulation to improve the efficiency of the building stock over the long term, helping reduce costs and tackle fuel poverty.

The Scottish National Party has also reaffirmed its commitment to address climate change by launching a plan and an Energy Strategy outlining its aim to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050.

It has also committed to create a new Climate Change Bill, including a new target of cutting actual emissions by more than 50% by 2020.

The growth of renewables is a key part of the government’s programme too. It insists it has a “continuing commitment” to the target of supplying 100% of electricity demand through renewables in the next four years.

It will also provide £10 million of funding for community energy projects.

In the transport sector, the government has pledged to free Scotland’s towns, cities and communities from the damaging emissions of fossil-fuelled vehicles by 2050 by continuing the roll out of a network of electric vehicle charging points.

WWF Scotland welcomed the news.

Director Lang Banks said: “Commitments to new climate change and warm homes legislation will provide opportunities to bring forward new policies that will put us on track for securing the full benefits of a zero carbon future. Money for energy efficiency in the First Minister’s post EU Referendum stimulus package is a welcome recognition that tackling cold homes can create jobs, boost the economy and cut our climate emissions.”

Earlier this week, the Scottish Government launched new regulations to improve energy efficiency in existing non-domestic buildings.

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