Fife Council said businesses, organisations, communities and householders, alongside the local authority, will all need to take action to reduce building emissions and improve sustainability if the Kingdom is to meet its target of net zero by 2045.

With that in mind, Fifers can now air their views on the region’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES), which outlines a region specific approach to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and support behaviour change.

A public engagement exercise on the draft Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy has now begun and will last for six weeks, right up until October 29.

The council is seeking feedback on the overall vision of the strategy, identified priorities, the scope of its high-level delivery plan, and any further actions that should be included when a more detailed delivery plan is developed.

Councillor Jan Wincott, Fife Council spokesperson for environment and climate change, explained: “Improving Fife’s buildings is a core part of the just energy transition to Net Zero and tackling the climate emergency.

“To achieve this means all building owners will need to do their part to increase energy efficiency of buildings and changing to climate friendly heating.

“Our strategy details how Fife Council, businesses, organisations, communities, and householders will all need to work together to approach this challenge.”

All Scottish councils are required to publish a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and five-year delivery plan by December 31, 2023, and Fife’s Strategy has been developed in partnership with key stakeholders.

All of the key details and a link to the online survey is available here.

Survey responses will be summarised and published once the survey has closed.

Feedback will either be incorporated into the final strategy or considered when developing the detailed delivery plan.

An online public information session will also be held from 6pm to 7pm on Thursday, October 5, providing another opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions in a more informal manner.

Pam Ewen, head of planning at Fife Council, added: “This strategy is an important document in supporting Fife tackle the climate emergency.

“By engaging with us, this is your opportunity to help shape Fife’s first Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Delivery Plan to ensure they make Fife’s buildings greener.”