Chamber and committees

No. However, it is the intention that the high level emissions reduction percentage for 2013 new build energy standards will be intimated to industry around 16 months before the standards come into effect.

We have considered the recommendation that “future standards be set in advance”. We believe there is greater benefit in the approach currently taken, which signals the high level emissions reduction percentage around 16 months before the standards come into effect. There are similar agendas throughout the UK and it is useful for industry if the different administrations can harmonise on certain technical areas before detailed measures come into effect.

There is currently no working party considering the 2013 or the 2016 changes to energy standards. A Departmental Working Group to develop proposals for the 2013 energy standards will be convened and have its first meeting before the end of 2011.

We consider that intimating the high level emissions reduction percentage around 16 months before the standards come into effect is more useful to industry. This is done after the latest research is carried out, part-way through the review cycle and is supported by a public consultation providing examples of how it is proposed such reductions are achieved. This approach better reflects the current position of the industry, new technological advances and energy costs.

No. However, it is the intention that the high level emissions reduction percentage for 2016 new build energy standards will be intimated to industry around 16 months before the standards come into effect.

We have considered the recommendation that “future standards be set in advance”. We believe there is greater benefit in the approach currently taken, which signals the high level emissions reduction percentage around 16 months before the standards come into effect. There are similar agendas throughout the UK and it is useful for industry if the different administrations can harmonise on certain technical areas, before detailed measures come into effect.

Research supporting the review of energy standards provides an indication of the potential cost of future standards. Research to inform the 2010 review was published in 2009. Research to inform the 2013 review will be published in 2012. There is industry stakeholder involvement in this research.

The Scottish Government recognises the need to encourage the most efficient and effective use of Scotland’s wood resource.

Our preference to see biomass deployed in heat-only or combined heat and power schemes, particularly off gas-grid, and at a scale appropriate to make best use of both the available heat and local supply has been set out in the Draft Electricity Generation Policy Statement 2010, as well as in National Planning Framework 2, Scottish Planning Policy, Section 36 Thermal Guidance, Section 36 Biomass Scoping Opinion guidance and in statements by ministers to parliament.

We are reviewing support for biomass under Renewables Obligation Scotland to ensure that it aligns with this policy, and proposals will be consulted on shortly. The Scottish Government is actively working with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to ensure they are aware of concerns over the cumulative impact of biomass proposals.

Forestry Commission Scotland’s annual Woodfuel Demand and Usage report provides industry with regular updates on market trends and analysis to help industry make informed decisions. The Wood Fuel Task Force report set out the potential resource availability and emphasises the limitation on further large-scale biomass plants using domestic material.

We are also engaged with existing timber users to address their concerns over the potential impact of biomass incentives on their businesses and we have set up joint meetings with Scottish and UK Ministers to discuss the impacts of biomass projects with industry stakeholders.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02236 on 14 September 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Currently only certain materials such as liquid waste, clinical waste and other potentially hazardous substances are banned from landfill, largely on the basis of environmental and health impacts.

The EC Landfill Directive requires Scotland to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill to 1.8 tonnes by 2013 and 1.26 tonnes by 2020 and that Scotland has already achieved its 2013 target.

Notwithstanding this success, the proposed landfill bans within the draft Zero Waste Regulations are aimed at maximising Scotland’s approach to recycling and resource recovery of its waste.

Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan is underpinned by the Waste Framework Directive and the main driver of the directive is the Waste Hierarchy. We are committed to ensuring that these wastes are managed further up the hierarchy and away from the basic disposal method of landfill. The banning of source segregated and separately collected materials from landfill will ensure that they are recycled and as a consequence, Scotland’s dependency on landfill will be significantly reduced.