Heat in Buildings: progress report 2025

Ministerial foreword

Tackling the climate emergency remains the global endeavour of our time, and Scotland’s net zero target is central to our response. Meeting this target will require a rapid and transformational change to the way in which we heat our buildings. Heating our homes, workplaces, and other buildings is the third largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland.

This annual report provides important information on the progress we have made towards delivering our Heat in Buildings Strategy. Transparent reporting, including demonstrating how our delivery schemes and programmes are working to meet our goal of reaching net zero, is vital to the accountability of government.

The report shows that emissions from our buildings have continued to fall. The number of homes with a heat pump installed has risen, along with increased public awareness. However, we know that we will need to go further and faster across all areas to meet our targets.

That is why we plan to introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill that will provide a clear framework for the transition to clean heating and better improved energy efficiency. It will give industry and homeowners the certainty they need to invest, boost heat network development and set a long-term direction of travel that is deliverable and affordable for households and businesses.

It is welcome news that energy efficiency across all tenures has improved, but levels of fuel poverty in Scotland remain unacceptably high. The Scottish Government is committed to tackling this, but the main levers for addressing this, such as energy prices and market reform, sit with UK Government.

We know that heat pumps have clear potential to save money on energy bills over time. However, these savings are constrained by the higher cost of electricity relative to gas. The UK Government has the powers to address this imbalance and must act urgently to reduce the running costs of clean heating systems. Doing so would make meeting our net zero goals fairer, faster and more affordable for households in Scotland.

Màiri McAllan MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Housing