Scotland's Energy Efficiency Action Plan unveils 2020 energy consumption reduction aim

Scotland's Energy Efficiency Action Plan (EEAP) has been unveiled, with a target to reduce total energy consumption by 12 per cent by 2020.

Together with existing commitments, including the target to generate 80 per cent of Scottish electricity consumption levels from renewable energy within the next decade, the energy efficiency target will be key to delivering Scotland's carbon-reduction target of a 42 per cent cut in CO2 by 2020.

By improving household energy efficiency through a range of measures, Scots could save an estimated £2bn by 2020 from smaller energy bills.

Investment in energy efficiency over that period could directly support around 10,000 jobs in Scotland.

The Action Plan sets out steps to help achieve the new efficiency target, including encouraging behaviour change and delivering consistent, accessible advice, supporting households to reduce domestic energy bills and ensuring public sector leads the way with exemplary energy performance and reporting.

Also, improving energy efficiency across housing stock, creating a single energy and resource efficiency service for Scottish businesses, creating an energy and fuel efficient transport system and ensuring training and education systems are equipped to enable as many people as possible to benefit from business and employment opportunities in energy efficiency.

The EEAP also outlines a reporting framework with key indicators across housing, non-domestic buildings and transport to provide supportive information to the headline target and sets annual energy efficiency targets based on yearly maximum consumption levels.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Energy use is responsible for the major share of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. Making our homes and other buildings more energy efficient is the easiest and quickest way to cut carbon emissions, while reducing fuel costs and supporting jobs."

"Not only will these initiatives reduce families' bills and their carbon footprint, but they will also create and support employment for insulation manufacturers, installers and energy advisors."

Further information:
Scottish Government