Heat in Buildings: a pathetic capitulation from the SNP
The SNP’s decision to halt its Heat in Buildings bill is a pathetic capitulation to the anti-environment lobby, says Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie.
The Bill, which was under development by Mr Harvie in his time as a Minister, and was well on track for introduction in November last year, was intended to focus on improving the energy efficiency of our homes and changing to clean, affordable heating systems.
Patrick said:
“This is an extraordinary announcement and an act of climate surrender. It represents a complete capitulation to the anti-environment lobby.
“This Bill was on track to be introduced well over a year ago, and it's pathetic for the SNP to blame others for their own decision to stall it.
“The Greens have made huge efforts to strengthen the SNP's resolve on climate. While we were in Government the work we led to help people switch to clean, affordable heat was one of the few areas of Scottish climate policy to win praise from the independent experts.
“Only last week the SNP were calling for world leaders to take swift and decisive climate action at the COP conference and now they are U-turning on one of the most important steps they could take.
“Keeping people stuck on gas is devastating for our planet, and it punishes households and families all across our country by forcing them to fork out for sky high bills while the fossil fuel companies post record profits.
“The clean heat sector should be a thriving success story for Scotland, with thousands of high quality jobs in building and installing kit that will cut emissions and cut the cost of living at the same time.
“But this can only happen if industry is given consistent, crystal clear support from the Government, in the way that the renewables sector was. SNP Ministers are choosing failure, and they are locking people into high fossil fuel prices for years to come.”