Aims and Objectives
This study aims to explore whether the policy aims of decarbonising heat and reducing fuel poverty are compatible by studying the impact of heat decarbonisation on tenants living in the social rented sector. This longitudinal comparative study will explore the pre-, during and post-installation stages of heat decarbonisation in two retrofit social housing projects. The heat decarbonisation process, from initial decision making to post-installation results, will be explored through an energy justice lens.

In pursuing the above aim, the research will address the following questions:
To what extent were tensions between climate change and fuel poverty policy identified by stakeholders and households during the policy and project formulation, implementation, and post-implementation periods?
What factors did social landlords consider when selecting properties and specifying technologies for retrofit heat decarbonisation projects?
What were households' perceptions of their roles in the decision-making process and the information provided to aid decision-making?
To what extent were households' fuel bills, and likelihood of experiencing fuel poverty, affected by the change to zero or low carbon heating?
To what extent did thermal comfort perception and behaviour towards household energy use change following low carbon intervention(s), and was any change impacted by landlord support?
To what extent were the impacts of heat decarbonisation distributed fairly between households within the social rented sector?

Methods
This research will take a comparative case study approach of two retrofit heat decarbonisation projects being carried out by Scottish social landlords, using mixed methods. It is intended to include:
Documentary analysis of how decisions to implement decarbonised heat schemes were reached, and were communicated to households
Observation at consultation meetings and events
Semi-structured interviews with resident households, pre- and post-intervention
Temperature monitoring, pre- and post-intervention
Analysis of fuel bills and energy usage, pre- and post-intervention
Interviews with key stakeholders, including landlords and policymakers.

Outputs
It is anticipated that the research will produce a full thesis of approximately 80-100,000 words, and may also result in a number of other outputs including: seminar and conference presentations; articles in academic journals; briefing notes for policymaker and practitioner audiences. Copies of all outputs will be provided to the Energy Agency.