Sturgeon demands newly built Scottish homes use green energy

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) said from 2024 all new homes built across Scotland would be required to use renewable or low-carbon heating.

Sturgeon 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.”

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.”

The first minister said her government would bring a “low or zero carbon focus” to all future infrastructure spending, including a £3bn portfolio it planned to 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.