Question reference: S5W-29445
- Date lodged: 27 May 2020
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 28 May 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will delay the publication of the Heat Decarbonisation Policy Statement and Energy Efficient Scotland Routemap update and the launch of its Heat Transition Deal in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
Answer
The Scottish Government is fully committed to reducing emissions from Scotland’s buildings in order to respond to the global climate emergency.
However, in face of the unprecedented health and economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the decision to pause our original intention to produce an update to the Climate Change Plan which we will now recast to support a green recovery, there is a consequential need to pause the launch of our Heat Transition Deal, Heat Decarbonisation Policy Statement, Hydrogen Policy Statement and Action Plan and Energy Efficient Scotland Route Map update so they are underpinned by a framework for a green recovery.
It is important that we consider how best the Heat Transition Deal and wider supporting policy framework can support our national response given the changed landscape, including how it can play a strong part in a green recovery. The Heat Transition Deal will come online in phases over the coming months to support recovery. Work to develop the Heat Decarbonisation Policy Statement, Hydrogen Policy Statement and Action Plan and Energy Efficient Scotland Route Map update will continue and we will look to publish them alongside the Climate Change Plan Update from the end of this year.