Heat in Buildings: progress report 2026

Reporting structure

Monitoring framework

This report is structured around the monitoring map (Figure 2), showing how our policy and delivery activities, supported by ‘enabling factors’, contribute towards emissions reductions in Scotland’s buildings. The different levels of the map are:

• Goal: the overarching target to decarbonise heating systems by 2045
• Outcome: what the project or activity expects to accomplish, which together bring about the heat transition. The Heat in Buildings Strategy has three outcomes
• Enablers: enabling factors that overcome barriers to achieving outcomes in the Heat in Buildings Strategy
• Activities: policy and delivery activities that support the enablers of the Heat in Buildings Strategy

Baselining and latest data

Where data exists, the baseline position for indicators remains as 2019, allowing for comparison with a 'typical' year before the Heat in Buildings Strategy was published, prior to the pandemic in 2020. The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) data set, used for several indicators, is for 2024. Multiple indicators are based on new or emerging data sources and for these the baseline will be the point at which data is available. Depending on the indicator and data source, the most recent data range is from 2022 to a date in 2024. We make clear what date this refers to for each indicator. Data from earlier years (pre-2019) is presented where this provides useful context.

Limitations

Figures for previous years may differ from those published in earlier reports due to revisions made to the underlying data sources, to reflect improved methodologies, corrections, or the incorporation of late returns. We may need to update some data post-publication as we continue the process of improvement and verification.

Gaps in data make reporting on some areas challenging, particularly heat networks, non-domestic properties, and jobs. However, we continue to provide best available data for indicators.