PATRICK Harvie MSP has shared his vision for energy efficient and low carbon buildings in Scotland at yesterday’s UK Passivhaus Conference in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Government minister for zero carbon buildings was a keynote speaker at the event. He gave an update on the Scottish Government’s January announcement on plans to introduce new minimum environmental design standards for all new build housing to meet a ‘Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard’.
A cross-industry working group is currently working through the policy details, with a ‘thorough’ consultation on the proposals due to begin in 2024.
Patrick Harvie said, “I am very pleased that Scotland is hosting this year’s conference, reflecting the leadership shown through our intent to introduce a Scottish equivalent of the Passivhaus standard.
“Improving the energy performance of our new homes and buildings is essential to cut overall energy use and help end our reliance on fossil fuels, which exposes everyone to volatile prices.
“The Passivhaus standard encourages the design and construction of low energy buildings, which complements commitments already made in the Bute House Agreement. This is about delivering high quality, low energy and healthy buildings for people to live in that are built to the standards to which they are designed.”
Sarah Lewis, the Passivhaus Trust’s research & policy director, added, “Scotland is leading the way in the UK – and the world – with its commitment to delivering comfortable, affordable and low carbon housing. Building on the Scottish Government’s leadership, our conference has explored the practical and policy aspects of scaling up a Passivhaus equivalent standard in Scotland, with discussions on standards, tools, certification, and expanding Passivhaus training and the supply chain.”
The conference showcased Passivhaus projects across Scotland, from Fife Council’s Dunfermline Learning Campus to Midlothian Council’s social housing programme delivering 200+ Passivhaus council homes. The conference also featured Scotland’s first Passivhaus school Riverside Primary School for Perth & Kinross Council and the City of Edinburgh Council’s Passivhaus schools programme. It is estimated that there are 35 Passivhaus schools currently underway or in the pipeline in Scotland.
Sarah Lewis continued, “An innovative funding mechanism from the Scottish Futures Trust has encouraged the building of schools to the Passivhaus standard in Scotland. Projects receiving funding need to meet a very clear energy target and funding may be reduced based on any performance gap post-completion. The Passivhaus standard effectively eliminates the performance gap, de-risking the securing of funding. It has been impressive how swiftly the industry, supply chain and clients have adjusted to delivering to the Passivhaus standard in the education sector.”
