• 58% of Scots support “ensuring that all new heating systems have zero-carbon emissions from 2035”, new report from The MCS Foundation finds 

• Strong support for climate action remains, with over half (55%) of Scots supporting the Scottish Government’s net zero target of 2045 

• Charities urge all parties to commit to a phase-out date of 2035 for fossil fuel boilers ahead of Holyrood elections next year  

13 January 2026, Edinburgh: A new report reveals the majority of Scots want to see bold action to transition away from fossil fuel heating within the next decade. 

The findings, based on representative polling, comes after the Scottish Government confirmed last month it will not introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill this parliament. 

The MCS Foundation, the charity that conducted the research, said the Scottish Government should take the evidence of strong public support as a mandate for ending new gas and oil boiler installations from 2035. 

While 58% of Scots expressed support or strong support for “committing to clean heat ensuring that all new heating systems have zero-carbon emissions from 2035”, only 16% were opposed. 

Garry Felgate, CEO of The MCS Foundation, said, “This new research is strong proof that not only is phasing out fossil fuel boilers essential for meeting Scotland’s climate goals, it is also popular with the public.” 

“Heat pumps and heat networks are the best viable alternative for decarbonising home heating at scale, and Scotland is already leading Britain in uptake of the technology, with six of Britain’s top ten areas for MCS certified installations being in Scotland. As all parties in Scotland prepare their election manifestos, a commitment to continuing this leadership is paramount. The clearest way to do that is to for all parties to commit to a date when no new oil or gas boilers can be installed in the Heat in Buildings Bill, which would provide certainty for households and for the heat pump sector.” 

The report also shows that three in five Scots (60%) said they would choose to have a heat pump installed if running costs were guaranteed to be lower than a gas boiler, which could be achieved if electricity prices were reduced by the Westminster government moving social and environmental levies off electricity bills. A majority (53%) would support these levies being moved into general taxation, with only 8% opposed.  

Io Hadjicosta, Climate and Energy Policy Manager at WWF Scotland said: “A clear majority of Scots want to move away from polluting and volatile fossil fuel heating.  

“The Scottish Government must act fast. Every delay traps households in soaring bills and harmful emissions for even longer, while proven solutions like insulation, heat pumps and heat networks are ready to roll out now. 

“Changing how we heat our homes will create thousands of future-proof jobs, tackle fuel poverty, and reduce health risks linked to living in cold, damp homes.” 

Lori McElroy, Chair of the Existing Homes Alliance said: “We know that to achieve our climate targets we need people to switch from fossil fuel boilers to clean heating systems such as heat pumps and heat networks, and this new research shows that people in Scotland want to see leadership and action.  

“The next Scottish Government must be bold and put the right legislation and support in place as early as possible, ensuring all households are able to afford to warm their homes using clean heating.  

“Setting out a clear route map to clean heating, not only ensures homeowners know what they need to do and by when, it also gives industry confidence to invest in creating the jobs and skills that will be needed over the next 20 years, supporting economic growth and tackling poverty, alongside making progress towards Scotland’s net zero target.”