SNP retreat on Heat in Buildings threatens climate targets
The SNP’s decision to water down and further delay its Heat in Buildings bill will leave it with zero credibility on the climate emergency, while also locking people into high household energy bills, says Scottish Green Co-leader Patrick Harvie.
Mr Harvie’s comments follow a climbdown by the Scottish Government, which has made clear that it will be reducing the scope and ambition of the bill and delaying its introduction even further.
The bill, which was under development by Mr Harvie in his time as a Minister, and was on track for introduction in November last year, will focus on improving the energy efficiency of our homes and changing to clean heating systems.
Mr Harvie said:
“There’s a huge prize to be won if the Scottish Government shows leadership on this issue. Slashing home energy bills, the growth of high quality green jobs, and getting back on track with emission cuts; all this can be done but the Government must give people the support they need to achieve it.
“Home heating accounts for a huge chunk of Scotland’s carbon emissions. We badly need to change that if we are to have any hope of cutting bills and hitting our climate targets.
“Keeping people stuck on fossil fuels is not only bad for our planet, it is also punishing households all across our country by saddling them with sky high bills.
“Clean, green energy is cheaper and reliable, and it’s used successfully in many other countries, some of which are already decades ahead of us.
“When the Scottish Greens were in government we were pushing the SNP out of their comfort zone and driving policy ahead faster, but since we have been out of the room they have been in retreat.
“The failure to hit previous targets should have been a wake-up call, but if anything they are going backwards.
“Ultimately it’s a question of ambition. If the SNP is shying away from proven steps like this which will make a big difference, then can they be trusted to deliver the transformative change that is needed?”