Multi-million clean heat boost for public buildings a major step forward
A first of its kind £11m cash boost to make some of Scotland’s best known public buildings more energy efficient has been hailed by the Scottish Greens.
University of Edinburgh’s King's Buildings, Fife and Edinburgh councils, schools and other properties are among those who will receive grant funding - as opposed to loans - to lower carbon emissions.
Minister for zero carbon buildings Patrick Harvie recently launched a Scottish Government consultation on proposals for delivering a Heat in Buildings Bill to ensure around 23,000 such buildings move to clean heating systems by the end of 2038.
Today he unveiled a package of support that included £2.08m for University of Edinburgh’s and a raft of other awards across the country.
Scottish Greens climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: “Accelerating the pace at which we can properly decarbonise our public buildings across the country will be a key factor in our push towards net zero in 2045.
“Today’s announcement from Patrick Harvie is a major step forward in achieving that and we warmly welcome not only the way the funding has been allocated, but the willingness of partners to embrace the need for change.
“Every public building - be it a school, an art centre or a university as just a few examples - can play a vital part in our collective drive to reduce emissions, and it is important that they receive help in doing so.
“That is the kind of transformational change Scottish Greens are working towards as we continue to push the pace of delivery.”
