Scottish Government publish report on EES - analysis of delivery mechanism

ADE Members, please note a briefing will be available shortly. Energy Efficient Scotland is an ambitious, 20 year programme aimed at making Scotland’s existing buildings near zero carbon wherever feasible by 2050, in a way that is socially and economically sustainable. It will deliver across two key policy areas: Fuel poverty: the programme aims to remove poor energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty; Climate change: the programme supports Scotland’s targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with projected emissions reductions in the residential and services sector of 23% and 59% respectively by 2032 (versus 2015 levels).To achieve these two key objectives the Scottish Government is proposing to set long term mandatory energy performance standards for all buildings in Scotland to reach by 2040, including more ambitious targets for properties with fuel poor households.Achieving these objectives will create opportunities and realise multiple benefits across Scotland. As well as supporting the drive to eradicate fuel poverty and reduce emissions, it will help to keep bills affordable, make homes and businesses more comfortable to live and work in, and improve health and wellbeing outcomes. It is also expected to increase the productivity and competitiveness of Scottish businesses and make a positive contribution to the Scottish economy.In a 2017 consultation, Scottish Government asked about how best to deliver the Energy Efficient Scotland programme. One of the messages it received was the potential need for a national mechanism to oversee the delivery of the programme. A national delivery mechanism was suggested as it reflects the duration and complexity of the programme, and the significant investment involved.The ReportThis report sets out the strategic outline case for a national delivery mechanism for EES. It is divided into two main parts: Part 1 (strategic case) focuses on the national context in which the EES programme sits, and highlights where changes could enhance the delivery of the EES. Based on this, it describes the roles and tasks required, and summarises the strategic need for some form of national delivery mechanism to carry out these functions; and Part 2 (preferred way forward) identifies a long list of options for the form a national delivery body could take. A shortlist of options is created by assessing the ability of different structures to perform the delivery roles required. The remaining options on the shortlist are then assessed against criteria in order to develop high level initial iterations of the economic, financial, commercial and management cases in order to identify preferred options.Read more about the report here.