Scotland's heat pump rollout is too slow, advisers say

The independent Climate Change Committee has warned Scotland’s plan to delay a major heat pump scale-up until about 2035 is unambitious and risks supply-chain challenges; ministers say they will use feedback and a public consultation to shape the final climate plan.

The Scottish government's draft climate plan proposes waiting until around 2035 before significantly increasing the installation of heat pumps in homes, with most work planned in the decade that follows. Independent advisers, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), described that timetable as too slow and unambitious. The CCC warned the delay could make it difficult for supply chains to deliver the required scale-up. The Scottish government said it will use the committee's feedback and results from a public consultation to shape the final plan, and has moved legislation on decarbonising heat to the next parliamentary session. Key points: - The Climate Change Committee judged the proposed heat pump timetable unambitious and warned of supply-chain challenges. - Ministers' draft plan delays major roll-out until about 2035, with most installations planned in the following ten years. - The government will consider CCC feedback and consultation responses, and legislation on building heat decarbonisation is now planned for the next parliamentary session. Summary: The CCC's assessment signals that current targets for household heat pump rollout may not meet the pace advisers say is needed, and that delivery risks will grow if action is delayed. The Scottish government has stated it will revise the draft plan using feedback and consultation outcomes, and has indicated legislation on decarbonising heat will be brought forward in the next parliamentary session.