Existing Homes Alliance
existinghomes.bsky.social
Existing Homes Alliance
@existinghomes.bsky.social
130 followers 210 following 39 posts
A coalition of Scotland's key housing, environmental, fuel poverty, consumer and industry organisations calling for urgent action to transform Scotland’s existing housing stock.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by Existing Homes Alliance
A pleasure to visit Kat and Iain’s gas free home with @paulsweeney.bsky.social Supported to upgrade their Victorian terraced house by @locohome.bsky.social with ScotGov grant and loan. Result - warm, healthy home, lower energy use, emissions slashed, local supply chains supported.
Also crucial to remember that this investment in Scotland's homes delivers warmer, healthier homes with better air quality, lower bills and energy security plus economic growth. It's an opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of households 2/2
Really interesting report. Notable point early on in the report:
"The cost of no action would substantially exceed the cost of mitigation as it would increase temperatures as well as risk Scotland being left behind in the adoption of new technological advances." 1/2
We have published our Fiscal Sustainability Perspectives paper considering how climate change mitigation could affect the Scottish Government’s fiscal sustainability. Read it here: bit.ly/46hZaFV
This thread summarises some key points from the report. 1/4
The shift to low-carbon heating – such as heat pumps and heat networks – can deliver wider benefits, including reduced air pollution and more stable, affordable energy bills, but the time for decisive action is now. 6/6
With leadership and the right framework of regulation and support, Scotland can lead the way in helping households and businesses switch to clean, heating and energy efficient homes. 5/6
It must also include clear minimum energy efficiency standards, a trajectory for ending the use of fossil fuel heating, and strong support for households – particularly those on low incomes – to overcome barriers like upfront costs. 4/6
This plan must set out how Scotland will reach the targets outlined in the CCC’s pathway, including the goal for 40% of existing homes to be heated by low-carbon electric systems, such as heat pumps, by 2035. 3/6
As well as bringing forward the Heat in Buildings Bill, which the Committee has highlighted as one of the most positive aspects of Scotland’s climate strategy, we need a robust delivery plan. 2/6
The latest advice from the @thecccuk.bsky.social highlights the scale of the challenge still facing Scotland. We urgently need leadership and clarity from Scottish Government if we are to close the gap between ambition and delivery. 1/6
Investing in home energy efficiency transforms lives - all the governments of the UK should recognise this and focus on scaling up programmes to end fuel poverty, improve health and wellbeing and cut emissions.
🚨Reports in the FT suggest that Labour could axe its £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan are deeply alarming.

"Any dilution of this Plan will have long term consequences."

[1/3]
Today 25 businesses & industry reps have written to the First Minister @johnswinney.bsky.social to warn the cost of further delay to the Heat in Buildings Bill is lost job opportunities and another winter of cold homes”.
Read the letter here: tinyurl.com/4bkpj9uc
existinghomesalliancescotland.co.uk
It’s time for the Scottish Government to set out a clear direction of travel towards zero emissions heating by 2045. Homeowners and landlords need clarity to enable those who want to embrace the future now, to do so with confidence. 7/7
It’s disappointing that a year on from the consultation closing and we don’t appear to be any further forward on this. The longer we are left without a Bill, the more growth and job opportunities pass us by. Industry needs certainty so it can invest in the jobs needed to meet growing demand. 6/7
We also need a support framework that ensures that everyone can access the help they need to comply, and that the costs of meeting the new standard are fully met for households in fuel poverty. 5/7
We need a Heat in Bldgs Bill introduced this session and drafted in a way that protects the most vulnerable – that includes a firm commitment that the Bill contributes to tackling fuel poverty and a role for Scotland’s Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel in overseeing implementation of the regulations. 4/7
The Climate Change Committee recently highlighted that failure by politicians to simulate investment through legislation that enables us to reach net zero and reduce the price of electricity by opening opportunities in private markets will see constituents worse off. 3/7
Further delay is not the answer. This move will only extend households’ exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. 2/7
Cabinet Secretary Martin is right to say that the Heat in Buildings Bill needs to tackle both fuel poverty AND the climate emergency – this is something the Alliance said in its response to the consultation a year ago. 1/7
Surprised at this from @johnswinney.bsky.social Hydrogen heating is an expensive and inefficient distraction. @thecccuk.bsky.social were clear in 7th Carbon Budget: "we see no role for hydrogen in buildings heating". Heating homes with green hydrogen takes 6x more renewable energy than a heat pump!