Speed up effort to phase out fossil fuel heating or it will fail warns watchdog

The ambition to phase out fossil fuel heating in Scottish homes will fail unless the Scottish Government significantly increases the pace, Scotland’s auditor general has warned.

Audit Scotland’s latest report has scrutinised the plans to reduce emissions by 2045, which could require most households to change their heating systems.

Auditor general Stephen Boyle has warned of“significant risks” in the target to move households to low carbon heating.

The report states: “The scale of the challenge of reducing emissions from heating homes is huge and there are several risks to success. Unless the scale and pace of activity significantly increase, the Scottish Government's ambition will not be met.”

It is estimated that the Heat in Buildings Strategy, introduced in 2021, could cost £33 billion to the public sector, businesses and households. The Scottish Government has currently committed to £1.8bn of public money in this parliamentary term.

The report urges ministers to ensure any investment has maximum impact and is value for money given the tough financialsituation facing the public. a significant issue highlighted by auditors is the almost two years spent by officials to build a team to deliver it. Mr Boy le said ministersshould have addressed the capacity needs sooner. but since early 2023, good progress has been made in preparing to implement regulations.

Ministers have also been warned that success will depend on measures including providing financial support to homeowners and securing public finance and supply chain capacity.

The report noted the work for this is currently at an early stage, with officials told to increase the pace before legislation can be put to the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland’s zero carbon buildings minister, Patrick Harvie, welcomed the report which acknowledged good progress. But he said it “also rightly highlighted the huge scale of the challenge to move to clean heat in our homes”. “The end point is not in dispute. That is why we recently published ambitious policy proposals ... that represent a step change in the way we heat our homes and buildings ,” he added.

Scottish conservative net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: “This is a damning verdict on Patrick Harvie’s shambolic plans, that will put enormous costs and conditions on Scottish households.

“Audit Scotland point out that th es np-green government has no chance of meeting its own targets unless there is a substantial increase in pace and activity, and warns of significant risks ahead.

“This is despite years of preparation and an estimated final bill of £33 billion. It shows how detached from reality Patrick Harvie’s plans always were.

“Instead of a realistic strategy, Patrick Harvie is producing a hugely expensive time bomb for homeowners - and one which won’t be delivered, judging by the slow progress so far.”

Scottish Labour's net zero spokeswoman Sarah Boyack said the report "lays bare the chaos” in the plans. “With energy bills soaring and fuel poverty rife, it is more urgent than ever that the SNP sets out a clear plan to upgrade homes and modernise heating systems. Warm words don' t heat homes .”

The public will need more help and persuasion to switch, says the report