Last edited 08 Feb 2015

Low carbon building standards strategy for Scotland

The ‘Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland’ (the Sullivan Report) was published in 2007 with recommendations on a range of subjects, including the construction of low carbon buildings in support of climate change objectives. With the economic downturn and more recent developments in the field, the strategy was reviewed and updated, with a later version published in 2013.

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act was passed in 2009 and this set emission reductions targets, including a reduction of 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Ministers were also required to set annual emission reduction targets until 2050. In the UK, approximately 40% of carbon dioxide emissions come from buildings and so reducing emissions resulting from new and existing buildings is a vital part of achieving reduction targets.

The original Sullivan Report published in 2007 set out 56 recommendations on a range of topics to help deliver reduced emissions for new and existing buildings.

A progress report was published in 2011 that analysed the work undertaken in response to the 56 recommendations.

The 2013 update report A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland, 2013 update should be read in conjunction with the original 2007 document. The update considers three key topics:

Eventual and staged standards – improvements recommended in the original 2007 document.
Process – widening carbon compliance beyond site-related measures.
Costings – Recognising the value of energy efficient new buildings.