As energy bills continue to bite and climate impacts intensify, the way we heat our homes is under growing scrutiny.
In Scotland, where domestic heating accounts for roughly 20% of climate emissions, the need for change is urgent – and the upcoming Heat in Buildings Bill could be a pivotal moment.
But recent revisions to the bill have raised concerns. What was once heralded as a bold legislative step toward warmer, greener homes now risks becoming a missed opportunity.
For businesses and homeowners alike, clarity and momentum are needed to navigate the future of heating and become part of the solution.
The Heat in Buildings Bill must be more than warm words. It must deliver warm homes
Io Hadjicosta, Climate and Energy Policy Manager, WWF-Scotland
The Challenge: Fuel poverty and fossil dependence
Nearly one in three Scottish households remain in fuel poverty.
Many live in draughty, inefficient homes that leak heat and inflate bills.
Most are still reliant on fossil fuel heating systems – gas boilers, oil burners – that not only contribute to climate change but also expose households to volatile energy prices.
Warm, efficient homes aren’t a nice to have; they are a necessity, a matter of wellbeing, health, and dignity that unlocks a resilient future for generations to come.
The Opportunity: Heat pumps and energy efficiency
The good news? The technology to transform Scotland’s homes already exists.
Heat pumps – powered by Scotland’s abundant renewable energy – offer a clean, scalable alternative to fossil fuels. Acting like a refrigerator in reverse, they extract heat from the air or ground and use it to warm homes efficiently.
When paired with insulation and draught-proofing, heat pumps can dramatically reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.
This is the next chapter in the evolution of home heating – from coal fires to gas boilers, and now to renewables.
But to accelerate adoption, policy must keep pace.
What’s missing from the Bill to unlock delivery?
The revised Heat in Buildings Bill, announced in April, has scaled back key commitments.
Notably, it dropped the proposal to introduce “triggers” – natural moments in the life of a boiler or home ownership – that would prompt a switch to clean heating systems.
Without these, Scotland risks a chaotic transition in the 2040s instead of a managed, gradual shift.
WWF Scotland and other advocates are calling for the bill to:
- Introduce Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for owner-occupied homes.
- Align with Scotland’s legally binding fuel poverty targets.
- Empower ministers to implement triggers for heating upgrades in the future.
These measures aren’t about penalising homeowners – they’re about ensuring a basic level of warmth, comfort, and affordability. Simple upgrades like loft insulation or cavity wall insulation can make a big difference.
Why It matters for industry
For companies like Mitsubishi Electric, the Heat in Buildings Bill represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
A clear, ambitious policy framework can unlock demand for clean technologies, create skilled jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains, and revitalise communities – especially in areas hit hardest by industrial decline.
But without strong legislation, the transition risks becoming uneven.
Wealthier households may upgrade early, while others are left behind in cold, inefficient homes. That’s why targeted support – grants, loans, and advice – must be part of the package.
A call to action
Scotland has a proud record of climate leadership.
From renewable electricity to international climate finance, it has often led the way.
Now, its homes must become the next frontier.
The Heat in Buildings Bill must be more than warm words. It must deliver warm homes.
Io Hadjicosta, Climate and Energy Policy Manager, WWF-Scotland