Heat in Buildings: progress report 2023

Context and purpose

Our Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in 2021, sets out the Scottish Government’s programme to deliver our climate targets by reducing our dependence on gas and oil for heating our homes and other buildings. This progress report fulfils our requirement under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to report annually on progress against the Strategy. Last year’s progress report was laid in Parliament on 27 October 2022. 

We have also, in line with the requirements of Section 61 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, reviewed the Heat in Buildings Strategy. In order to bring the Strategy up to date with latest developments, the review has concluded that the strategy should be varied, and this will now take place. The Strategy, as varied, will be published in 2024.

The Strategy sets out actions to decarbonise Scotland’s building stock in line with our legislated climate change targets. The following sections describe progress made in the development of regulation, policy and the key areas targeted by the funding and advice through our delivery schemes.

We remain committed to making available at least £1.8 billion over the course of this Parliament, agreed in the Bute House Agreement, including:

• at least £465 million to support those least able to pay, delivered through our Warmer Homes Scotland and Area Based schemes
• £300 million for Scotland’s Heat Network Fund
• £200 million Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund, investing in a sector already leading the way in the heat transition
• £200 million Scottish Green Public Sector Estate Scheme, supporting leadership for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation right across the public sector