Budget: Energy efficiency cash boost is welcome step
The Scottish Government has announced an extra £45million of spending on energy efficiency, fuel poverty reduction and heat decarbonisation. The sum was part of the UK Treasury announcement of a further £1.1bn of coronavirus support funding for the Scottish Government.
Last week The Existing Homes Alliance, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Living Rent called for Scottish Budget funding to tackle fuel poverty and boost energy efficiency to be increased by £100million for the coming year.
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Climate and Energy Campaigner Caroline Rance said:
“This extra cash is a welcome step, however the total still falls shy of what is needed to drive the transformative change required in energy efficiency and fuel poverty. Choosing to invest in warmer homes can create a triple win for jobs, public health and the fight against climate change. It is welcome to see the Scottish Government responding to recent calls from housing, environment and anti-poverty groups.
“The final budget still needs to find the upfront investment that will deliver on political promises to create a fairer, greener society as we exit the pandemic. Scotland needs a green jobs recovery that drives up demand in key areas like energy efficiency, public transport and skills training. Opposition parties must prioritise these areas in negotiations, to ensure the final budget can help to build back better.”
Friends of the Earth Scotland are calling on the Scottish Government and opposition parties to work together to negotiate a final budget that delivers the immediate action needed to create good green jobs that reduce climate emissions and strengthen Scotland’s recovery.
Scottish Government Budget update https://www.gov.scot/news/non-domestic-rates-relief-extended/
Further information on energy efficiency in Scotland:
+ One in four households in Scotland live in fuel poverty – the Scottish Government’s own research states that fuel poverty is expected to increase as a result of the pandemic, affecting nearly 30% of the population.
+ Our homes are responsible for 15% of Scotland’s annual climate emissions.
+ There is potential to create up to 17,000 jobs in energy efficiency across Scotland.
Budget boost for warm homes could deliver “triple win” for homes, jobs and climate
https://foe.scot/press-release/budget-boost-for-warm-homes-could-deliver-triple-win/
Friends of the Earth Scotland is:
* Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisation
* An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland
* Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 75 national member groups, and 5,000 local activist groups.