SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT HALTS PLANS FOR GREEN HEATING UPGRADES – The bill aimed to phase out gas boilers by the year 2045
The Scottish Government has decided to abandon key proposals that would have required homeowners to switch to greener heating systems soon after purchasing a property. The move follows concerns over affordability and the feasibility of implementing such changes on a large scale.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin confirmed in Holyrood that the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill, originally introduced by the Scottish Greens, will not move forward in its current form. She emphasized that while the government remains committed to reducing carbon emissions, forcing homeowners to replace gas boilers with zero-emission systems too soon would be financially burdensome.
“I will introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill when I am satisfied that the interventions will reduce fuel poverty while also cutting carbon emissions,” Martin told MSPs.
The bill aimed to phase out gas boilers by 2045, requiring homeowners to transition to low-carbon heating systems within a set period after purchasing a property. Additionally, it proposed new energy efficiency standards, mandating upgrades such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, draught-proofing, and improved heating controls.
Rental properties were expected to comply by 2028, while all homes would have faced a deadline of 2033.
Despite the delay, the Scottish Government has reiterated its commitment to reducing emissions from buildings, stating that any future legislation must balance environmental goals with the financial realities faced by homeowners and landlords.
