A consultation has been launched over proposals to make new Scottish buildings more energy efficient.

The Scottish government claims proposed measures could reduce carbon emissions in new buildings by a further 20% and new non-domestic buildings by up to 40% beyond current standards.

It also claimed carbon emissions for new homes could be reduced by around 75% compared to the standards that existed in 1990.

Planning Minister Derek McKay announced the consultation, which will be launched in January next year.

New standards agreed upon will be introduced at the beginning of 2014.

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Derek Mackay said: "These proposals maintain the Scottish Government’s commitment to ambitious emissions reductions, but will limit the impact on both industry and on the cost of new homes at this time. Beyond this consultation, we will look at other options for making emissions reductions which are comparable with The Sullivan Report aspirations for new buildings. To assist in this, I intend to reconvene the Sullivan panel next year."

Lynne Sullivan, Architect and chair of the Expert Panel that produced the 2007 report 'A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland' said: "The construction industry is still experiencing uniquely difficult times that were not envisaged when the Expert Panel produced our original report. The Minister for Local Government and Planning has shown strong leadership, proposing greenhouse gas emissions reductions that strike a good balance between delivering on climate change mitigation and being achievable for industry.

"I am delighted to be asked to chair the reconvened Expert Panel and to update our advice on how best the Scottish Government can deliver further emissions reductions."

(IT)