In the past decade, the United Kingdom has made commendable strides in decarbonising its electricity sector, achieving a remarkable 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

However, this achievement is overshadowed by the fact that the electricity sector constitutes merely 17% of the country's overall energy consumption.

The remaining 83% encompasses sectors such as transportation and heating, which have proven considerably resistant to change. This resistance primarily stems from their heavy reliance on natural and liquid gas combustion.

For instance, domestic heating, as reported by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), currently contributes to approximately 15% of the UK's carbon emissions, directly contradicting the government's ambitious carbon neutrality target for 2050.

This issue extends beyond the UK, with heating accounting for over half of global energy consumption in 2019 and being responsible for approximately 40% of worldwide carbon emissions.

But why is the transition to cleaner heating solutions progressing at such a sluggish pace?

Despite notable efforts to promote the adoption of low-carbon heating systems, such as air source heat pumps (ASHPs) through initiatives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), progress remains sluggish.

The UK government has set a lofty goal of installing 600,000 heat pumps by 2028, as outlined in the Energy Security Strategy.

However, according to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), in 2023, only an average of 3,000 heat pump installations occurred each month.

This stark disparity indicates that substantial progress is yet to be made if the 2028 target is to be met.

One major obstacle to adoption is the absence of a definitive phase-out date for fossil fuel heating appliances, particularly gas boilers, by the UK government.

Instead, a few tentative dates have been floated, ostensibly to gauge industry and public reactions.

This lack of a concrete deadline has resulted in considerable consumer confusion, with many households still opting for gas boilers due to the significant disparity in upfront installation costs and the perception that gas remains cheaper than electricity.

Additionally, concerns about the ongoing operational costs of heating appliances play a pivotal role in households' decisions to choose between a low-carbon heat pump and a natural gas boiler.

Unfortunately, electricity prices currently stand significantly higher than those of natural gas on a per-unit basis, averaging around three times the cost for households on a standard variable rate.

Lastly, planning permission regulations further hinder the widespread adoption of heat pumps in the UK.

So, what can be done to accelerate the pace of change in decarbonizing domestic heating? To make substantial headway toward this goal, several steps should be taken by the UK government, in collaboration with the industry:

Establish a Phase-Out Date: The UK Government, together with devolved governments, should establish a definitive phase-out date for fossil fuel boilers. This action must be coupled with a clear indication that the role of hydrogen fuel will be restricted.

Price Parity: The UK Government should strive for price parity between gas and electricity on a per-unit cost basis, ensuring that it is never more economical to use a gas boiler instead of a low-carbon electricity heating solution, such as a heat pump.

Increase Subsidies: Considerably raise the number of low-carbon heating subsidies available in England and Wales from the current 30,000 per year. Collaboratively review and amend planning permission laws with devolved governments as necessary to facilitate wider adoption of low-carbon heating solutions.