The Scottish Heat in Buildings Bill, supposed to lead us into a bright new future with heat pumps and better energy efficiency in our homes, risks ducking the hard decisions, argues Io Hadjicosta of WWF Scotland

Next month, energy bills are set to rise again, adding further pressure to households already struggling with the cost of living crisis. For many, this is more than a financial burden – it’s a source of real stress. And this underscores the urgent need to rethink how we heat our homes.

But this challenge also presents a unique opportunity. The Scottish Government will soon introduce the Heat in Buildings Bill, a landmark piece of legislation with the potential to transform our housing stock. At its heart, the bill should aim to create warmer, healthier homes, making clean heating and energy efficiency measures accessible and affordable for everyone, while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions.

No one underestimates the scale of the challenge. Our homes are responsible for around a fifth of Scotland’s climate emissions. Most are still heated by fossil fuels that not only drive climate change but also leave households at the mercy of volatile global prices. At the same time, far too many Scots live in draughty, inefficient homes that leak heat and push bills higher. In 2025 almost one in three households remain in fuel poverty.

Over recent years, we have taken a close look at the types and ages of homes across the country – from bungalows to listed buildings, detached and........

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