About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

More about us

Mobilising Scotland’s abundant renewables to heat our homes

Nesta at Scottish National Party Conference

In A sustainable future

13 Oct 2025

Scotland rapidly finds itself with huge amounts of renewable electricity, giving us an opportunity to use that homegrown power and put it to work heating our homes.

Doing so means increasing the number of households in Scotland that install modern, efficient heat pumps in their homes, and building many more heat networks. To make this happen, the switch to clean heating must be affordable, attractive and easily accessible for everyone.

Our panel discussed clean heating success stories, the key roles of local, national and UK government and how anyone can start their clean heat journey.

Robin Parker

He/him

Robin manages Nesta's work in Scotland on the Sustainable Future Mission, focused on making it easier for households to end their contribution to climate change. He's always keen to talk to potential partners for Nesta, and find opportunities to develop new approaches that help cut emissions from burning gas and oil to heat homes in Scotland. Robin's recent career has focussed on developing evidence and policy solutions on clean energy and climate change. He has worked as a civil servant in the Scottish Government, in the charity sector for WWF Scotland and in the private sector for Ramboll. Outside of work, you'll probably find Robin either on one of his bicycles – maybe the gravel bike, maybe on a tandem. Or he'll be listening to a podcast – politics or comedy, or, ideally, political comedy!

Màiri McAllan MSP

She/her

Màiri McAllan MSP was appointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Housing in June 2025. She has previously held the cabinet brief for net zero and energy. She is the MSP for the constituency of Clydesdale.

Cllr Heather Anderson

She/her

Cllr Anderson is a councillor for the Coldside Ward in Dundee City Council, and is the SNP’s candidate for the Dundee City West constituency.

David Cowdrey

He/him

The MCS Foundation oversees the MCS standards scheme, which certifies the quality of renewable energy installations across UK homes. As a catalyst for change, the Foundation brings together partners from across the sector to support innovation, research and practical programmes that accelerate the decarbonisation of homes and the rollout of clean heat. David Cowdrey leads the Foundation’s external affairs, driving political engagement and collaboration to advance the decarbonisation of homes, heat and energy across the UK.

Grant Taylor

He/him

Aira is a clean energy-tech business, founded in Sweden and now selling across the UK, Germany and Italy. They offer consumers an all-inclusive service for heat pumps and any other clean energy solutions for their home to help them save them money and reduce their heating carbon emissions.

Mobilising Scotland’s abundant renewables to heat our homes

About Nesta

Mobilising Scotland’s abundant renewables to heat our homes