Changeworks, a leading Scottish social enterprise, has released new polling that highlights both optimism and concern among Scots regarding the country’s journey to Net Zero. Half of those surveyed believe that the transition to Net Zero will bring positive economic impacts over the medium and long term. However, 65% worry that the UK is not investing quickly enough in sustainable energy, and a striking 83% are very concerned about the continued steep rise in energy prices. Support for renewable and sustainable energy for home use is high, with 71% in favour.
These findings underscore the complexity of decarbonising Scotland’s homes, which are among the least energy-efficient in Europe and account for 13% of the nation’s carbon emissions. As energy costs rise and the climate emergency intensifies, addressing poor energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels are seen as urgent steps to combat fuel poverty and meet climate targets.
Changeworks has unveiled a bold strategic plan for 2025-2030, aiming to support 180,000 households with energy efficiency and low-carbon heating measures by 2030. This could save up to 3 tonnes of CO2 per home annually, significantly advancing Scotland’s emissions reduction goals. Chief Executive Josiah Lockhart is calling for greater collaboration and innovation across public and private sectors, emphasizing that the scale of the challenge requires a united effort, speaking to Scottish Business News he said, “We can’t afford to wait. By working together, we can tackle fuel poverty, create jobs, and drive Scotland’s decarbonisation efforts forward”.
The economic potential of decarbonisation is clear. The poll shows that 72% of Scots want legislation to invest in the green sector to create more jobs. Yet, 59% are concerned that the supply chain is not being adequately upskilled in sustainable technologies. Changeworks is addressing this through initiatives like EcoCosi, an end-to-end retrofit service for homeowners, which not only helps reduce energy bills and carbon footprints but also supports the development of a network of skilled contractors and installers.
A just transition is central to Changeworks’ mission. Beyond supporting self-funded homeowners, the organisation partners with groups like the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to provide energy advice and support to social housing tenants, and collaborates on projects like Warm Home Prescription to help vulnerable individuals stay warm and healthy.
Despite progress, the journey is far from over. The organisation is actively seeking new partners across sectors to scale up its impact and ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero. With over a million homes needing to switch to low or zero emissions heating systems by 2030, Changeworks’ call to action is urgent: collective, cross-sector collaboration is essential to deliver energy-efficient, affordably warm, low-carbon homes at scale, lower emissions, and reduce energy bills for all Scots.
Businesses willing to support the call to action and partner with Changeworks to decarbonise Scotland’s homes can contact Changeworks via workwithus@changeworks.org.uk