6. Conclusions and monitoring
Effects of the EEAP
6.1 The SEA identified the effects of the consultation on the EEAP on climatic factors, population and human health, air quality and cultural heritage. The following significant environmental effects were identified:
1. The consultation on the EEAP has been developed to assist in the delivery of Scotland's emissions targets, which are set in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. As a result it is unsurprising that the assessment has concluded that the EEAP could make a significant contribution to reducing emissions. In particular the more stringent options for targets and activities that the EEAP could promote, have the potential to ensure that these positive effects are significant. However, it has also been noted that the scale of effects on Scotland's total emission reductions and emissions may not be viewed as substantial when considered from a global perspective, with the EEAP potentially achieving a small but nevertheless significant proportion of actual reductions. Climate change mitigation must be considered as the responsibility of many sectors and the EEAP will work cumulatively with other activities, such as within the renewable energy sector to achieve effective mitigation and therefore significant positive effects.
2. There are synergies between emission reductions and reducing the volume of pollutants released into the atmosphere as part of fossil fuel combustion. However it is not expected that the consultation on the EEAP will necessarily generate significant positive effects for those areas currently worst affected by poor air quality.
3. The consultation on the EEAP remains somewhat limited in its consideration of climate change adaptation. The assessment has explored the potential for long term climate change to result in an increase energy demand and noted that this could be exacerbated by the proposed insulation measures. As a result, is proposed that adaptation to future climate change impacts should be considered further as required within the finalised version of the EEAP.
4. The consultation on the EEAP will achieve emissions reductions and improve the housing stock in general, and therefore its effects on these aspects of the environment are considered to be positive and potentially significant. The environmental baseline showed that housing conditions and quality is linked to better levels of health amongst the population and energy efficiency measures may secure further improvements whilst helping to combat fuel poverty. However, the cost of energy efficiency measures is a consideration which may, alongside other factors, have potential to influence fuel prices and this in turn could impact upon levels of fuel poverty. Whilst cost is not necessarily a key consideration within the context of SEA, it is important to note that environmentally driven objectives have the potential to result in social consequences. As a result, the SEA has recommended that careful consideration should be given to the costs of measures and that efficiency measures are where possible and appropriate targeted at households where improved conditions can provide greater social benefits. Where required, action should be taken to address potential social equity issues arising from changes to energy costs.
5. Although there is the potential for alterations to historic and valued buildings to adversely affect their fabric or character, it is expected that adequate protection will be provided by existing legislation on the historic environment. Additionally, the consultation on the EEAP already notes that the special characteristics of this part of the housing stock will require careful consideration as measures to improve energy efficiency are taken forward. As a result impacts on the historic environment are not considered significant.
6.2 The consultation on the EEAP includes discussion of several existing schemes, activities and organisations that can be drawn together under the umbrella of energy efficiency. The cumulative impacts of these schemes alongside the consultation on the EEAP's headline targets have formed the basis for consideration of environmental effects detailed above
Monitoring of significant effects
6.3 Given the high level nature of the plan, it is proposed that monitoring focuses only on the potential significant environmental effects which could be generated by the Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The consultation on the EEAP includes a commitment to its review every three years, providing opportunities for updating and improvement as required. Monitoring findings will therefore to feed into any future iterations of the policy. As a result of the environmental issues identified above, the following environmental monitoring measures are proposed:
- Evaluation of contribution of energy efficiency to emissions reduction in Scotland. This can be identified by monitoring emissions against the targets proposed within the final version of the EEAP and may entail reviewing household energy use and energy use within the commercial sector. This is not proposed as an additional monitoring commitment generated by the SEA, as it is expected that evidence will be gathered to monitor the implementation of the plan itself, as a result of the requirements of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. This information will allow the Scottish Government to confirm whether or not the anticipated benefits of the EEAP have been realised.
- The synergies and possible tensions between climate change mitigation and adaptation could be monitored as implementation of the plan progresses. There is readily available dataset which could be used to achieve this at present. Monitoring of the effects of adaptation is a long term proposition, would not be quantifiable and would require linkages to fluctuations in energy demand. However, as the EEAP is reviewed, any emerging adaptation driven issues should be considered further.
- The links between environmentally driven measures and fuel poverty should be monitored. It is acknowledged that the factors affecting fuel costs are wide ranging and that energy efficiency is just one of many influences on fuel prices. The consultation on the EEAP has the ability to reduce fuel bills by reducing consumption through the implementation of efficiency measures. Nevertheless, a fluctuating fuel price has the potential to increase the number of households experiencing fuel poverty. Data on the number of individuals experiencing fuel poverty is already gathered. Additional data on the distribution of grants and incentive schemes could prove useful in monitoring the links between environmentally driven efficiency measures and fuel poverty