Tackling Housing Emissions Needs Energy – and Action

Wednesday, 06 October 2010 13:49

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government’s much-anticipated Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The SFHA said housing associations have the energy to tackle housing emissions, but more action from government is required. Consumer Focus Scotland’s recent report, Turning Up the Heat, noted that RSLs were the most energy efficient housing sector in Scotland, with most having met or exceeded the requirements in the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (1). SFHA Chief Executive Mary Taylor said: “The SFHA welcomes the launch of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan and acknowledges that climate change and fuel poverty are huge challenges for housing associations and Scotland as a whole. Reducing emissions from the housing sector is crucial to combating climate change. “Our members have a strong track record of innovation and leadership in energy efficiency, whether pioneering community renewable schemes (3), or building new homes to the highest standards of energy efficiency. We believe that associations will continue to lead in this area, developing and maintaining high quality affordable homes throughout Scotland that benefit the communities that they serve. The SFHA and its members are keen to work with the Scottish Government and other partners to meet the challenge set by our emissions reduction targets. “It is important to acknowledge, however, that this action plan, while rightly ambitious, comes at a time of budget cuts, and as housing associations are being asked to develop new build housing with lower levels of grant. It is vital that the right funding and support is in place to allow our members to increase energy efficiency in their houses and meet these targets, and we look forward to working with the UK and Scottish Government to ensure that this is the case.”

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