We have the tools to decarbonise public sector heat - now we need to work together
Collaboration, commitment and a shared vision will be key to achieving the public sector’s net zero ambitions, says Steven Heap of the Carbon and Energy Fund in episode 7 of Salix’s Tomorrow’s Energy podcast.
The public sector faces a significant challenge in decarbonising its buildings, but the technology, expertise and solutions needed are already available. The next step is bringing them together.
That is the message from Steven Heap of the Carbon and Energy Fund, who joins episode seven of Salix’s Tomorrow’s Energy podcast to discuss the opportunities and challenges of decarbonising public sector heat.
While the UK continues to make progress in decarbonising electricity, heat remains a major part of the challenge. Moving away from fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal towards lower-carbon alternatives, including air source and ground source heat pumps and geothermal energy, will be essential.
Steven says: “The common misconceptions are that it will happen all on its own or that we don’t have the technology to do it, but we have everything we need to do it.”
Heat pumps are among the most widely adopted technologies, supported by a strong government push. However, successful implementation depends on understanding individual buildings and designing systems around their needs.
Traditional heating systems often operate at temperatures of 80-85°C, while heat pumps work most efficiently at around 45°C. Buildings such as hospitals can present additional challenges, requiring more innovative approaches to system design.
The common misconceptions are that it will happen all on its own or that we don’t have the technology to do it, but we have everything we need to do it.
People at the heart of projects
For Steven, technology is only one part of the picture. Successful projects depend just as much on people, leadership and collaboration.
He says: “You need a board that has it very clearly on their agenda and, on the ground, you need somebody in a sustainability project management role.
Steven says that person needs access to senior decisionmakers and the ability to bring different teams together to turn ambition into action.
He also advocates taking a whole building or portfolio-wide approach, rather than tackling individual buildings in isolation. Combining projects can help organisations coordinate investment, deliver wider benefits and make the most of available opportunities.
Beyond carbon savings
Those benefits extend beyond carbon savings. Steven highlights the Eastbourne District General Hospital project, where grant-funded work included recladding and reroofing an entire building, transforming its thermal performance.
This project received funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Replacing draughty, single-glazed windows and improving the building envelope can create warmer, more comfortable environments for patients and staff alike. It is a reminder that decarbonisation is not simply about infrastructure hidden away in plant rooms; it can directly improve the places where people receive care and work every day.
Financing projects
With the public sector decarbonisation funding that supported many projects over the past five years having stopped, Steven says organisations must increasingly look to third-party finance. Building a strong, credible investment case will be critical to unlocking that support.
He also points to opportunities to combine technologies. Solar panels, for example, can generate savings that help offset the costs of investing in lower-carbon heat, particularly when projects are delivered at scale.
Ultimately, achieving net zero will require public sector organisations, funders, energy service companies, technology providers and procurement specialists to work towards the same goal.
The NHS has a net zero target of 2040, while the wider public sector target is 2050. Although the scale of the task is considerable, Steven believes there is good reason to be optimistic.
“It’s a huge, huge issue we have to deal with. But we have all of the tools and we have all of the knowledge and we just need to bring it all together.”
His message is clear: progress is possible when organisations share their expertise, work collaboratively and commit to delivering change together. The challenge is significant, but the solutions are within reach and by working together, the public sector can turn its net zero ambitions into lasting improvements for people, buildings and the environment.
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