Contact
Anne Marte Bergseng
Project Manager - Climate resilience and social change
annemarte.bergseng@ed.ac.ukCommunicating effectively on the heat transition
The Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy aims to transform Scotland’s buildings and systems that supply their heat, ensuring a transition to net zero emissions and addressing fuel poverty commitments. There is a commitment to decarbonise the heating of at least 1 million homes by 2030, to help achieve Scotland’s target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
This research aimed to identify appropriate trusted messengers, communication channels, engagement formats and points of intervention for engaging with different groups across the Scottish public on delivering heat decarbonisation.
The findings have been used to inform the development of the Scottish Government’s public engagement strategic framework for the heat transition and associated communications activity.
Methods included a literature review, a survey and focus groups conducted between February and March 2023.
Summary of conclusions
Developing communications and public engagement to facilitate the heat transition and move to zero direct emissions heating systems is a complex and challenging task. It includes raising public awareness across:
- understanding and buy-in of the changes required
- improvement options and potential benefits
- the support and advisory services available to households to facilitate uptake.
For further information, including detailed findings, please download the report.
If you require the report in an alternative format such as a Word document, please contact info@climatexchange.org.uk or 0131 651 4783.