Legislation expected to require ‘Passivhaus’ standards of new-build homes in Scotland

LEGISLATION is expected to be steered through the Scottish Parliament to ensure that, relatively soon, all new-build houses in Scotland meet energy-efficiency standards equivalent to what is known as Passivhaus.

Passivhaus is a certificated standard what sees ultra low-energy homes keep warm in the winer and cool during the summer.

The expected legislation is expected within two years and follows a ‘private member’s Bill’ (here) from Scottish Labour MSP, Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife.

The Bill was proposed earlier this year – here – and read as follows: “A proposal for a Bill to introduce new minimum environmental design standards for all new-build housing to meet the Passivhaus standard, or a Scottish equivalent, in order to improve energy efficiency and thermal performance.”

But instead of the Bill having to be negotiated through parliament, in stepped the Scottish Government minister, Patrick Harvie, to say to Rowley, here: “I am writing to advise that under Rule 9.13.14 of Parliament’s Standing Orders, the Scottish Government will make subordinate legislation within two years, to give effect to your final proposal for a proposed Domestic Building Environmental Standards (Scotland) Bill.”

Scottish Greens MSP, Harvie, is Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights.

His intervention meant that, technically, the Bill – as a private member’s bill – ‘fell’.

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland