"Having had the privilege of co-chairing the Passivhaus Equivalent Working Group over the past 18 months, I’ve seen first-hand the exceptional collaboration that has taken place by all working group members to explore options, address challenges, and pragmatically work towards a viable strategy for implementing new Passivhaus Equivalent Standards in Scotland. These standards will help us deliver the very best buildings we can, that are affordable, comfortable, sustainable, healthy, and help contribute positively to our net zero obligations.

The devil is, as always, in the detail, and that detail will become clearer through 2025, but the clarity around the legislative process that is now in place, with opportunities for further consultation next year, and with the Working Group committed to continue to collaborate and support the evolution of the standards, the direction of travel looks to be a positive one.

BE-ST will continue to support the industry in preparing and adapting to new standards through training, knowledge exchange, and advocacy, and this will continue in parallel with Scottish Government’s processes through 2025 and beyond. 

Our goal is to equip the sector with the skills and knowledge needed to meet and exceed building standards, be those Passivhaus or otherwise, by facilitating the upskilling of professionals through hands-on training, fostering collaboration, and preparing for the opportunities this transition brings."