The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) recently discussed the challenges faced in retrofitting an older building to attain any significant energy-efficiency savings with the visiting Patrick Harvie, Scottish Government’s Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, at JW Filshill’s distribution centre in Renfrew.
Around one-quarter of carbon emissions in the Scottish wholesale sector come from energy use in buildings, mainly using gas for heating (8.6% of emissions) and electricity use in buildings generally (17.7%) and during the visit, Harvie saw first-hand how the business has integrated energy efficiencies and reduced carbon emissions in the new depot near Glasgow Airport.
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Colin Smith, SWA chief executive, said: “We were delighted to be able to show the minister what a Grade A wholesale depot looks like and the significant investment required to get to this standard. Contrasting this with JW Filshill’s previous 1970s depot, which is typical of the 120-plus depots across the SWA’s membership, we were able to highlight to the minister the various areas of investment, steps and.”
The SWA has set out plans to reach net zero by 2040, in time for Scotland’s net-zero target of 2045 and earlier this year outlined its plans in a new report which explores the sector’s emissions, and attitudes to the issue and the barriers faced in taking climate action.
Smith added: “We discussed what is required if we are to secure a just transition for our sector to reach net zero which includes the need for direct and indirect financial assistance for capital costs to invest in renewable energy, greater access to knowledge, and guidance from government agencies. There is also a need for planning processes to be streamlined and supportive of businesses’ ambitions, and for businesses to have confidence in, and clarity, of government plans for the decarbonisation of non-domestic buildings.”
