Heat is the largest energy end-use with nearly 50% of global final energy consumption
Heat is an energy form crucial for determining the temperature, volume, and state of materials. It's transferred from warmer to cooler objects and produced through converting chemical or electrical energy. Essential for heating buildings, providing hot water, cooking, and industrial processes, heat significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonising heat is vital for emission reduction but is complex due to its varied production and use methods.
Unlike electricity, which can be decarbonised via renewable energy, heat requires changes at the point of use, often necessitating the replacement of gas or oil-fired boilers. A multifaceted approach is essential, involving electrification with heat pumps, sustainably-produced hydrogen, and district heating networks incorporating low-carbon sources and waste heat. Efficiency improvements in buildings' thermal performance and heating systems, alongside combined heat and power (CHP), can enhance the energy system's efficiency. However, public acceptance, high costs, and infrastructure needs are challenges.
Learn about the decarbonisation of heat by reading our Energy Insights.
Find out energy professionals’ expectations for the future sources of heat in the UK.
Learn more about the future of heat and its role in society by browsing our online New Energy World magazine records.
£0billion
of additional investment needed to install low-carbon heating in existing UK homes from 2020-2050 as estimated by the Climate Change Committee (Department for Energy and Net Zero)
0%
of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK is attributable to heating homes (Department for Energy and Net Zero)
0bcm
global reduction in gas demand needed to heat buildings by 2030 due to heat pump uptake and energy efficiency improvements (IEA)
About 0%
of heating needs in buildings were met by heat pumps in 2023 (IEA)
What's new?
Pathway to net zero: UK government and local authorities align for greener homes
02/10/2024
Families across the UK, particularly those in rented accommodation, continue to feel the sting of high energy bills, exacerbated by the broader cost-o...
For the nascent e-fuels industry, four steps forward, one step back
04/09/2024
First, a demonstration plant producing 5,000 t/y of green ammonia from variable, on-site renewable power has been inaugurated in Denmark. ...
Global surge in solar PV inverter shipments highlights China’s dominance, while US and Europe support solar roll-out
14/08/2024
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Sustainable energy R&D: solar, hydrogen and carbon capture innovations
14/08/2024
Innovation in solar technology promises sustainable power from everyday objectsScientists at Oxford University Physics Department say they...
SAF’s flight path to aviation decarbonisation
31/07/2024
Airlines and partners establish new SAF financing fundA consortium of Airbus, the Air France-KLM Group, Associated Energy Group, LLC, BNP Pariba...
Events and training
Clean Power 2030
23/10/2024
The UK is moving to a decarbonised grid, shifting from a carbon-intensive to a renewable-dominated generation mix by 2030.
WPC Energy UK National Committee Expert Workshop 2024
31/10/2024
Explore key challenges and potential solutions on the road to net zero.
Level 3: Advanced Energy Manager
28/09/2025 - 23/12/2025
This 9-day course is an advanced qualification aiming to support experienced energy managers to further advance their careers by gaining the skills an...
Technical guidance publications
Research report: Global activities in hydrogen development
002024
This report covers various developmental activities across the hydrogen value chain, encompassing production, transportation/distribution, storage, an...
Tripod lite: A ‘lite’ tool for investigating simple incidents, events and near misses
002023
This publication is free to download. Register or log in, then click 'download'.Note: this will download a document 'landing page' that inc...
Research report: Application of life cycle assessment methodology to the understanding of the energy balance and efficiency of hydrogen value chain building blocks
002022
This document is free to download for registered users.This publication explores the efficiencies of the hydrogen energy system and quantifies the ene...
Guidelines for the assessment of ageing and life extension of non-metallic components in the offshore oil and gas industry, volume 2: composite equipment and repairs
002022
This document captures industry good practice, knowledge and learning on these elements of composite materials. This guidance will provide a star...
Waste to products – Technology and economic assessment (phase 1)
002022
This document is free to download for registered users.The EMG and Soil Wastes and Groundwater group (SWG) of the EI and Concawe have commissioned E4t...