Real Estate:Scotland responds to Stage 2 consultation on a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard

We support the ambition to improve the energy performance of new buildings, and welcome the later implementation date of Autumn 2029. Higher standards must, however, be balanced against build costs, so that development in Scotland remains attractive to investors and housing delivery is not held back.

Our response calls for:

• a phased introduction, giving the supply chain time to build capacity
• the ‘Good Practice’ standard for new homes and the ‘Medium’ standard for non-domestic buildings
• consultation on non-domestic targets before they are adopted
• more robust cost evidence
• whole life carbon reporting
• investment in skills and in local authority verification