Reducing carbon emissions from homes is a crucial step in reaching net zero and it is essential to make significant progress on this by 2030. However, the United Kingdom’s uptake of low-carbon heating has been extremely slow, which risks both failing to meet net-zero targets and leaving the nation overly reliant on gas. The UK needs a stronger set of policies focused on replacing boilers with heat pumps and other low-carbon heating systems.

This report sets out an outline policy plan for decarbonising the UK’s home heating which Nesta plans to develop and expand on over the coming months.

The plan has four key elements:

1. committing to phase out gas boilers in 2035 or earlier, while also providing clarity on the future role of hydrogen for home heating
2. making low-carbon heating affordable by all, most importantly by reducing the cost of electricity relative to gas
3. supporting a rapid increase in the number of skilled heat pump installers
4. better planning for electrification and low-carbon heating systems