Our mission is to accelerate the decarbonisation of household activities in the UK.

The challenge

In the UK, the residential sector is the third-largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions, after transport and business. Homes are directly responsible for creating around 70 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Changing the way we heat our homes is one of the most impactful things we can do as a country to cut pollution.

But it needs to be easier and more affordable for people to use greener home heating systems. There are many barriers and not enough qualified engineers to install the types of green heating that’s needed. To create change, we need new ideas and ways of thinking about regulations, as well as new business models and policies to speed up and support the transition to greener homes.

Everyone has a role to play in protecting our planet and to stop homes contributing to climate change.

Our goal

By 2030, the UK will have reduced household emissions by 30% from 2019 levels. We will do this by:

  • making heat pumps more appealing and affordable to consumers
  • increasing the supply capacity of the heat pump sector
  • helping households use their existing heating systems more efficiently
  • shifting electricity demand away from peak hours
  • identifying ways in which the switch to net zero could raise productivity, from the lower costs of renewable energy and energy efficiency to creating more highly skilled jobs in green industries.

Work

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Projects

The latest on our research, challenges and practical programmes

People

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Madeleine Gabriel

Madeleine Gabriel

Mission Director, sustainable future mission

Madeleine Gabriel

Mission Director, sustainable future mission

Madeleine leads Nesta’s mission to create a sustainable future, which focuses on decarbonisation and economic recovery.

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Andrew Sissons

Andrew Sissons

Deputy Director, sustainable future mission

Andrew Sissons

Deputy Director, sustainable future mission

Andrew is deputy director on Nesta's mission to create a sustainable future, which focuses on decarbonisation and economic recovery.

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Katy King

Katy King

Deputy Director, sustainable future mission

Katy King

Deputy Director, sustainable future mission

Katy is deputy director on Nesta's mission to create a sustainable future, which focuses on decarbonisation and economic recovery.

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