Changeworks records biggest impact yet but more needs to be done to achieve net zero

Making a difference: Changeworks has installed over 7,700 energy efficiency measures in homes, resulting in an estimated 370,000 tonnes of carbon savings over their lifetime. Picture - supplied.

Changeworks, Scotland’s leading environmental charity, has achieved its biggest impact to date in reducing carbon emissions and helping people in need of energy advice. Find out how.

In the context of the accelerating climate emergency and energy crisis, Changeworks’ goal to decarbonise Scotland’s homes has never been more important.

Changeworks works with partners and organisations to deliver more energy-efficient housing and tackle fuel poverty. In 2022-23, the charity expanded its services to support more than 67,000* people in Scotland to take actions that will reduce the carbon emissions from their home; a 22% increase on those reached in the previous year.

By providing energy advice, Changeworks supported householders to save £4.06 million on their energy bills, or through income maximisation. These savings make a crucial difference to householders at a time when more and more people are in fuel poverty in Scotland.

Working with councils and social landlords across the country, Changeworks installed over 7,700* energy efficiency measures on homes. It is estimated that 370,000* tonnes of carbon savings will be made over the lifetime of the measures installed.

Scotland has some of the leakiest homes in Europe, and as much as a third of a home’s heat is lost through the walls. Reducing emissions from our homes is key to meet Scotland’s net zero targets.

Focusing on improving energy efficiency through low carbon heating and renewable technologies allows for a reduction in carbon emissions, while also making homes warmer, more comfortable and lowering energy bills. Over 1 million homes in Scotland need to convert to zero or low emissions heating systems by 2030 to meet our net zero targets.

Changeworks’ Chief Executive Josiah Lockhart said: “The past year has seen us provide invaluable levels of support to householders across Scotland. While these are incredible achievements, we all need to do more, faster, to tackle the climate emergency and ensure a just transition to net zero. At Changeworks, we will continue to invest in our growth and expand our services to maximise our ongoing impact.”

Looking ahead, Changeworks is developing new services to support householders and will continue to work with even more partners to drive innovation to accelerate the decarbonisation of Scotland’s homes.

For more details about how Changeworks is driving the transformation of energy efficiency to tackle fuel poverty, see the Impact Report here.

*Figures include 2022-23 data from Changeworks’ services, Changeworks’ share of Warmworks activity and Home Energy Scotland Highlands & Islands and Southeast.