LABOUR MSP Alex Rowley hit out at the SNP government today after it rejected one of the main housing recommendations from Scotland’s Climate Assembly.

A report by the assembly urged Scottish ministers to introduce the internationally recognised Passivhaus standard for all new-build housing in Scotland. 

The assembly brought together people from across Scotland to make recommendations to the Scottish government to address the climate crisis. 

A Passivhaus home — made with energy-efficient building principles developed in Germany — reduces heat loss so much that it hardly needs any heating at all.

Instead, it uses heat sources such as the sun, human occupants, household appliances and the heat from the extracted air to cover a large part of the heating demand, slashing heating bills as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, is proposing a Bill to make Passivhaus standards the new build standard across the country, saying that it would help tackle climate change and fuel poverty in Scotland. 

He said: “More and more people are experiencing the misery of fuel poverty and the UN has declared a code red for humanity. 

“We cannot avoid taking bold decisions if we are going to halt the devastation of our environment and misery for our citizens. 

“My proposed Bill would ensure all new homes are built to the gold standard in energy efficiency.

“I hope that the Scottish government thinks again on Passivhaus and that MSPs from across all parties will support my proposal.” 

A Scottish government spokesman said: “We are not proposing adoption of an existing standard, such as Passivhaus, but are investigating how good practice from such very low energy standards can support improved compliance with building regulations and more assurance on performance in practice.”