West Dunbartonshire residents are being urged to share their opinions on proposed new laws on heating systems.

The third-largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland is the way we heat homes, workplaces and other buildings.  

Scotland aims to become a Net Zero Nation but to do this the heating systems in the vast majority of our buildings need to change, says Keep Scotland Beautiful. 

A public session, set for 1.30pm on February 14 at the Clydebank Library, seeks to inform residents about the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Bill.

It is open to homeowners or tenants of privately owned homes, plus any type of owner or tenant of a non-domestic building. 

It is not open to social housing and newly built homes as these are not within the scope of this consultation as they are subject to separate guidance and regulations.  

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is conducting the 65-minute consultation session on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Katie Murray, environment and place services manager, said: "Our journey to net zero has begun, and we all have a role to play in learning more about the action we can take to combat climate change, as well as identifying actions we can take.

"Heating our homes, especially at this time of year, and during a cost-of-living crisis, is something we all care about.

"The sessions we are facilitating on behalf of the Scottish Government, will give people the chance to learn more about proposals being made in the Heat in Buildings Bill and to voice their opinions.

"We look forward to welcoming people to the sessions as we host them across Scotland."

A consultation, ongoing till March 8, provides the opportunity to comment on the proposals to make new laws around the heating systems that can be used in our homes and places of work to help Scotland reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach legally binding net-zero targets. 

Patrick Harvie, Zero Carbon Buildings minister, said: "Heat from our homes and buildings represents around 20% of Scotland’s carbon emissions.

"So there is no route to meeting our legal duty to be a net zero country by 2045 without making the heat transition.

"Making this transition can also liberate households and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices.

"We’ve put forward ambitious proposals that represent a step change for how we heat our homes and buildings.

"We want to hear from homeowners, tenants, landlords and businesses about how we can shape the Heat in Buildings Bill that we will bring forward shortly."

For more information and to register to attend the event, click here.