Climate Change and Your Home Report Launched						

					

											
7 December 2022

									

			

							

					

					
	   					

				

					

	




    



    
        


            

                


                    

                        
The Scottish Government’s twenty-year vision for housing – Housing to 2040 sets out the commitment to take action to adapt and retrofit existing homes to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heating. This means that homes across all tenures must be more energy efficient and begin to move away from using fossil fuel heating systems like gas boilers, if targets are to be met. However, these ambitions do not come without notable financial and technical challenges.


While a range of studies have already been published, many of these relate to general attitudes towards climate change across the UK and do not address the specific priorities and expectations of people living in social housing in Scotland. Therefore, this study was undertaken as a starting point to better understand tenants’ views and attitudes towards climate change.


The findings highlight whilst tenants were concerned about the effects of climate change the cost-of-living crisis was a priority for most tenants taking part. With the cost of food, fuel and energy increasing there were concerns amongst tenants that decarbonisation of social housing would exacerbate this both through driving up rents and potentially higher heating costs. Whilst social housing tenants were fully supportive of a fabric first approach there were some concerns that rent freezes would make this challenging.


The study also found that tenants felt that there had not been enough consultation on decarbonisation at both a national and a local level. Whilst they recognised the challenges in getting people involved in consultation, they highlighted the importance of ensuring tenants’ voices were heard on this matter. Tenants also highlighted the need for improved communication around decarbonisation of social housing to ensure tenants have the facts and would dispel any rumours, fears or worries.


The Climate Change and Your Home Report, 2022 is now available on the networks website or if you contact trudi.tokarczyk@scotlandshousingnetwork.