IN response to the Scottish Government’s unveiling of ‘Starting a National Conversation on the Heat Transition in Scotland,’ Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF), expressed a positive reception. Hodgson welcomed the initiation of this critical dialogue and commended the government’s heightened commitment to integrating industry expertise in the formulation of achievable targets. This, she believes, marks a substantial leap forward and addresses past challenges of setting unrealistic goals without essential input from those with practical experience.
However, while acknowledging the necessity of achieving a better balance between political aspirations and public engagement, Hodgson underscored the indispensable roles of professions like plumbing and heating in the low-carbon transition. These professions play integral roles in the design, installation, and maintenance of heat pumps and district heating systems, as well as the decommissioning of fossil fuel boilers. Hodgson emphasised that without the insights of these professionals and the concurrent development of their skills through upskilling initiatives, the conversation might result in little more than rhetoric.
Hodgson expressed hope that the comprehensive and inclusive dialogue initiated by the Scottish Government would prove to be a valuable step toward ensuring active engagement from all stakeholders in the low-carbon transition from fossil fuels. This, she believes, is a significant stride forward and fittingly coincides with the COP 28 agreement on the same day.
The Scottish Government’s commitment to fostering an open conversation aligns with global efforts to address climate challenges, emphasising the need for collaborative and inclusive strategies. As the dialogue progresses, industry leaders like SNIPEF play a vital role in providing practical insights and ensuring that the transition is not just aspirational but also realistic and attainable.
