The Scottish Property Federation has welcomed late amendments tabled at Stage 3 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill that have successfully introduced business rates incentives for energy efficiency improvements to commercial properties.  The details of how these measures will work in practice are to be set by Ministers by Regulation, subject to Parliamentary approval. 

The Climate Change (Scotland) Bill also provides for a Regulatory system to assess and enforce imnprovements to the energy efficient performance of non-domestic properties and again detailed Regulations will be brought forward by Scottish Ministers to identify how this process will work in practice.  SPF believes it is vital that these regulations recognise the need to assess the actual energy use of a building, rather than merely its potential energy efficiency. 

David Melhuish, Director of the Scottish Property Federation commented:

'The Scottish Climate Change Bill is arguably the most important piece of legislation passed to date by the Scottish Parliament and large sections of the Bill enjoyed clear party consensus.  For the property industry the Bill has enormous repercussions - by legislating for regulations to reduce carbon emissions from existing properties, not just new properties, the Scottish Parliament is moving further ahead in relation to our industry than any other jurisdiction within the UK.'

'The SPF welcomes the introduction of incentives to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties and we are delighted to have supported Sarah Boyack MSP in her successful campaign to achieve business rate incentives for businesses.  The camapaign achieved cross-party support and ultimately an amendment by Alex Johnstone MSP of the Scottish Conservative Party was successful.'

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament at Stage 3 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill Sarah Boyack MSP said:

   'I know that the business community is seized of the need to undertake energy efficiency measures. There is much support for the measures from big companies such as Tesco and groups such as the Scottish Property Federation'