The Scottish Government has published its 2026 progress update on the Heat in Buildings Strategy, outlining developments in policies and programmes aimed at reducing reliance on gas and oil for heating. The update forms part of annual reporting requirements under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and tracks progress against the strategy’s monitoring and evaluation framework.

Several delivery programmes continued during the reporting period. In February 2026, the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme supported its 50,000th customer and completed 1,117 clean heating installations during 2025/26. Scotland also provided £3.9 million through the Scotland’s Heat Network Fund, including support for a low-carbon communal heat network serving 180 social housing properties in Paisley.

The update also covers regulatory developments. Amendments to planned reform of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were laid before the Scottish Parliament in August 2026, with the revised regulations expected to come fully into force in April 2028. Work also continued on proposals for minimum energy efficiency standards in rented, owner-occupied and non-domestic buildings, alongside the development of a new standard for social housing.