This short report highlights how a number of policy contradictions are acting as a barrier to the decarbonisation of domestic heating in the UK. We show that without an overarching vision and framework to guide them, the disparate policies that relate to heat, buildings and energy infrastructure result in inefficient and ineffective mobilisation of resources, alignment of stakeholders, and allocation of responsibilities. We propose alternative approaches that can address the policy contradictions in question.

In this report we demonstrate through three examples how the UK policy landscape creates contradictions that undermine the imperative for rapid decarbonisation of heat and buildings. The examples discussed are not exhaustive but an attempt to highlight some of the key policy inconsistencies that require attention.