Promise is part of Scottish government focus on cutting carbon

The first minister of Scotland has vowed to “fundamentally overhaul” the building regulations as part of a “green new deal” to draw investment and cut emissions.

Laying out her programme for government for the coming year, Nicola Sturgeon (pictured) told MSPs: “The coming parliamentary year will see several key milestones on the path to setting out Scotland’s comprehensive response to the climate emergency.” 

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Source: Terry Murden/shutterstock.com

Sturgeon said the changes would include big changes to building regulations “that will increase energy efficiency and the efficiency of construction from 2021, and will be accompanied by a £30m investment in renewable heat projects.”

And she added that from 2024, all new homes will be required to use renewable or low-carbon heating.

Sturgeon also said her government would bring a “low or zero carbon focus” to all future infrastructure spending, including a £3bn portfolio it would bring to market.

“Along with the renewal of the National Planning Framework, our future public infrastructure programme will lay the foundations on which we will build low and zero carbon homes, communities and industries,” she said.