WWF Scotland has expressed concern over what it sees as a low level of ambition in a Scottish government consultation on lower-carbon building.

'Lower carbon buildings - a review of energy standards and guidance within Scottish building regulations' was launched on 14 January.

Elizabeth Leighton, Senior Policy Officer at WWF Scotland said: "It’s extremely disappointing the Scottish government has watered down recommendations set out in the Sullivan Report to improve the energy efficiency for new homes in this new consultation.

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"To meet Scotland’s targets to eradicate fuel poverty and cut climate emissions we need a twin track approach which focuses on improving the quality of our existing housing and building new homes to optimum energy standards."

WWF Scotland says home energy accounts for a quarter of Scotland's climate emissions and that emissions from this sector have risen since 1990.

A report by the organisation last year warned that £4.6bn of funding would be required if Scotland was to meet its climate emission reduction target from homes by 2020.

WWF Scotland estimates the government needs to commit in its forthcoming 2013-14 budget to doubling investment in the area.

"Cutting corners today on new build standards means we will all end up paying the environmental and economic costs tomorrow of missed climate targets, higher fuel bills and an expensive retrofit programme," Ms Leighton said.

"Adopting the Sullivan recommendation of net-zero carbon standards for new homes 2016/17 would help stimulate new approaches and techniques, create a mass market and bring down costs."

(IT)