Scotland mandates Passivhaus equivalent legislation
New build housing to meet a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard.
The Scottish Government has announced plans for all new build housing to meet a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard.
On 10 January 2023, Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, announced: "The Scottish Government will make subordinate legislation within two years, to introduce new minimum environmental design standards for all new-build housing to meet a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard, to improve energy efficiency and thermal performance."
The announcement gives effect to the final version of the Proposed Domestic Building Environmental Standards (Scotland) Bill, a Private Member's Bill put forward by Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife. This development work will commence early in 2023, seeking the laying of amending regulations in mid-December 2024.
The Bill was developed in response to the Scottish Climate Assembly Recommendations for Action, in which 97% of the Assembly voted in favour of the Passivhaus standard or Scottish equivalent for new build projects in Scotland.
This article appears on the CIAT news and blog site as "Scotland mandates Passivhaus equivalent legislation" dated January 13.
--CIAT
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