Joining the dots – the first in a series of BEFS blogs exploring interconnected policy areas

The policy landscape is complex. This is an often-repeated phrase for BEFS, a mantra when navigating the growing array of existing and nascent policy and legislation.  

A large part of BEFS work is undertaking to de-mystify, connect, and signpost the alignment and interdependencies within policy which can seem at times distant and remote from practical application and the action that we all desire.   

 And not only is the landscape complex, it is ever evolving. Alongside the big-ticket items that Scotland as a nation – and we as a sector – is mandated to strive towards; we have moved through acknowledging a Climate Emergency, declaring a Housing Emergency, an emphasis on Just Transition and Wellbeing Economy, and adapted alongside regular Parliamentary re-shuffles.  

 Working within shifting parameters is not new. The 2026 election presents an additional need to ensure that a baseline approach to evidencing the value of our existing built environment is robust and embedded; understanding and building on what has come before can help us as we make smart choices and choose action for today.   

 BEFS work covers key strategic areas including (but not limited) to Net Zero and Climate Change, Tenement Maintenance and Repair, Retrofit, Skills, Planning and Placemaking. Seeded throughout all these is a sustainable future for Scotland’s people and places. Crucially, all of these policy areas – whilst distinct – must not be viewed or pursued in isolation.  

Setting the scene 

Our past, Our Future, Scotland’s Strategy for the Historic Environment identifies the three key priorities for the historic environment to be: Net Zero, Communities and Places, and the Wellbeing Economy. And these thematic areas, as priorities, are unlikely to be going anywhere any time soon. Under these headlines heritage and built environment sector bodies are facing a lack of skills, lack of funding and investment, and lack of capacity. 

 Drill down to the national policies and legislation themselves within which we operate, and we often see these polices constructed and written with an eye to the headline agendas, mandated targets and national drivers – but not necessarily speaking to each other. Where does heritage and the existing built environment, and all that it encompasses, sit within a legislative pecking order and how can we collectively elevate our interests? This, hopefully, is what this series will explore over the coming months.  

 For example, in delivering Net Zero; the Heat in Buildings Bill presents the sector with a need to present a clear case to guarantee that our existing and historic buildings are recognised as an asset and receive appropriate advice and interventions to make them even more sustainable for the future. To do this, we must have the right skills, in the right places.  

The National Planning Framework (NPF4) is being reviewed in its second year since publication. We know that a clear steer towards Net Zero targets within planning can and should sit alongside those policies that protect and enhance the historic and existing built environment – but decision makers are faced with an unclear legislative hierarchy. How do we make good heritage decisions a de-facto win for Net Zero? 

A further challenge is how Local Place Plans sit within the planning system; local authority teams remain stretched and under-resourced, with potential further consequences for heritage with the implementation of Local Heat Networks.  

And there’s more – although we know that construction and demolition accounts for around half of all waste produced in Scotland; Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 under-represents construction waste, the potential for reuse, and the role that Scotland’s existing building stock can and should play in conversations around sustainability.  

 Our historic buildings themselves can play a starring role in a Just Transition plan for construction – this in tandem with the Climate Change Adaptation Plan can accelerate the pace of progress towards Net Zero. Retrofit must be framed within the agenda for promoting maintenance and repair. These are strategies in which the whole sector needs to be embedded and delivering in innovative ways.  

Further hooks are out there – our cultural heritage is a priceless asset, but the labour and skills to support and look after those assets do have a price. And so when it comes to Scotland’s tourism offer, decisions relating to the Visitor Levy Bill affect how our places could, and should, benefit from taxation on those who choose to visit. Placing heritage within culture is something we need to continue to keep shouting about, again and again. 

These are just some examples; collectively articulating these challenges and opportunities, and the way in which we do this, will be a significant part of how we can operate strategically for the future. We also know that how we frame and present the opportunities and challenges ahead is crucial – advocacy has to be backed up by data and evidence. 

Setting out our stall 

This is not about preaching to the converted. Readers will recognise how far our collective work permeates and supports national aims, and national change, but more can be done to seek increased opportunities for cross-portfolio wins to be realised – how we align and express our activities to take best advantage of this will be key.  

Policy should and can overlap, supporting and mutually elevating work being done across all areas of the built environment, heritage and culture sectors.  

In exploring the challenges and opportunities ahead, this series aims to invite a collective discussion, making space to advocate, align and take the best possible advantage of shaping current and future policy in the long term. How can strategic advocacy be amplified through joined-up thinking, capacity building and cross-sector collaboration? Through this series we look forward to exploring this with you over the coming months.  

Get in touch – to find out more about BEFS work or to discuss a particular topic or policy area email us at info@befs.org.uk or contact the Team. 

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