UK drops plan to phase out gas boilers by 2035
The UK government has abandoned its proposal to ban the sale of new gas boilers by 2035, raising concerns about the country's ability to meet key climate goals amid growing criticism from environmental advocates.
Helena Horton reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The 2035 ban on gas boilers in new housebuilding standards has been scrapped, though energy efficiency rules for new homes will limit their installation.
- The government plans to extend a £7,500 grant to support heat pump adoption, aiming to increase uptake despite dropping mandatory heat pump requirements.
- Solar panels will be encouraged but not mandatory for new homes, which critics say may lead to higher long-term heating costs for homeowners.
Key quote:
"Every home we insulate and heat pump we install means we need less gas that will increasingly come from abroad as North Sea output continues its inevitable decline."
— Jess Ralston, head of energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit
Why this matters:
Home heating accounts for a significant portion of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. Scaling back climate policies could hinder progress on reducing fossil fuel dependence, leaving households vulnerable to rising energy costs and slowing the transition to clean energy.
