How do we combine meeting our climate targets with improving energy affordability and lowering fuel poverty?

This is the question forming the basis of the discussions on an online event on Saturday 17 October, from 10am until 12.30pm. It will be focussing on Scotland’s housing sector.

The speakers are:

• Norrie Kerr, Just Transition Commission
• Elizabeth Leighton, Existing Homes Alliance Scotland
• Jon Cape, Power Circle
• Ross Armstrong, Warmworks
• Robert Leslie, Orkney Housing Association, member of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

Scotland’s Just Transition Commission was established to make recommendations to ministers on how Scotland can transition to a net-zero economy by 2045 in a way that is fair for all. It has teamed up with the Methodist Church and Eco-Congregation Scotland to host the event.

To register for the free event click on this link: A Just Transition for Scotland’s Housing

Scotland’s ambitious climate change targets will require the housing sector to radically transform itself at a pace previously unseen. Making homes more energy efficient and heated from low carbon sources presents an opportunity to improve the quality of our housing stock, tackle fuel poverty and create jobs. Concerns have also been raised about how this is paid for, and whether the shift to net-zero in the housing sector could risk sliding more households into fuel poverty.

Just Transition Commissioner, Norrie Kerr said:

“We need to put an end to fuel poverty with bold action to make people’s homes warmer and cheaper to heat. Equity considerations must be central to climate action, if we are to make the transition to net-zero in a way that improves the lives of the most vulnerable. This event will provide an opportunity to hear from experts and ordinary people on these issues and contribute ideas on how Scotland can achieve this.”

Attendees to the open online discussion will hear speakers from the Just Transition Commission, Warmworks, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Existing Homes Alliance Scotland and Power Circle who will share their thoughts on how we can combine meeting our climate targets with improving energy affordability and lowering fuel poverty. Discussion will then open up to all participants, able to contribute their own ideas on how Scotland can reach net-zero emissions in housing.

Mark Slaney, Chair of the Methodist Church in Scotland, who will be chairing the event, said:

“We have to find ways of meeting our climate targets which make lives better not worse for the least well off in our society. I look forward to an imaginative and stimulating discussion which will contribute both to the work of the Commission and to Scotland’s preparation for the COP26 climate summit next year.”