We have some exciting news to share! The Scottish Government has officially launched its new strategy—Our Scotland, Our Future: Public Engagement Strategy for Climate and Nature 2026—and Loco Home Retrofit is featured inside as a case study.

Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin MSP made it clear in her opening address that tackling climate change and biodiversity loss isn’t just about high-level targets; it’s about protecting our communities, easing cost-of-living pressures, and making everyday life better, healthier, and fairer for everyone in Scotland.

At Loco Home, we couldn’t agree more. And we are thrilled that our work with the Glasgow Climate Hub and local partners across the city has been highlighted as an example of how community-led action turns big environmental challenges into practical, local solutions.

Why This Strategy Matters for Our Homes and Communities

The 2026 strategy marks a major shift in how Scotland approaches climate action. It directly connects climate resilience with nature restoration, acknowledging that the way we heat our homes, power our lives, and look after our neighborhoods deeply impacts both issues.

Importantly, the strategy recognises that people need trusted, relatable ways to take action. It highlights three main goals for public engagement across Scotland:

1. Understanding: Helping people navigate complex energy and climate choices with clear, honest information.
2. Motivation: Inspiring action through real-life examples, peer learning, and practical support.
3. Voice: Ensuring communities have a direct say in shaping the policies and solutions that affect their daily lives.

This is precisely where community retrofit comes in. Upgrading Glasgow’s historic and varied housing stock—from draughty tenements to sandstone terraces—can feel daunting. But when we tackle it together as a community, it becomes manageable, empowering, and deeply rewarding.

Seeing Is Believing: The Power of Open Homes and Workshops

The Scottish Government’s report specially showcased Loco Home’s recent work delivered alongside the Glasgow Climate Hub:

• 10 Community Workshops: Giving residents space to get into the details of energy efficiency, insulation, and clean heating choices.
• 12 Open Home Events: Opening up real retrofitted homes across Glasgow so neighbors can see heat pumps, insulation, and draught-proofing in action.
• Rapid Engagement Growth: Thanks to community partnerships with brilliant local organizations like Awaz and Merry-go-round, engagement with our digital home energy resources grew tenfold in under a year—jumping from just over 2,000 to more than 21,000 views!

Why did the Open Home events strike such a chord? Because research and advertising can only take you so far. Many people tell us they’ve done the online research on retrofitting, but still felt cautious or sceptical about whether new technologies like heat pumps or internal wall insulation would work in a typical Glasgow home.

Stepping inside a local retrofitted home changes everything. Seeing a warm living room, hearing how quiet a heat pump actually is, and talking directly with a homeowner about their real energy bills builds trust that no sales pitch can match. It bridges the gap between thinking about change and actually making it happen.

Warmer Homes, Lower Bills, Stronger Glasgow

As the new strategy highlights, climate action and daily priorities go hand in hand. Retrofitting isn’t just about cutting carbon—it’s about:

• Slashing Energy Bills: Keeping heat inside where it belongs so you aren’t paying to warm the Glasgow sky.
• Healthier Living Spaces: Eliminating damp, mould, and cold draughts for better physical health and indoor air quality.
• Local Economy & Good Jobs: Building demand for skilled local tradespeople, supply chains, and green jobs across our city.

When we retrofit our homes, we aren’t just adapting to climate change; we are making our homes warmer, more comfortable, and more affordable to run during tough economic times.

Be Part of the Solution: Get Involved Today

The Scottish Government’s vision is a “net zero, climate ready, nature-positive Scotland.” But that vision only becomes reality through the everyday choices, conversations, and projects happening right here in our neighborhoods.

Whether you’re just starting to wonder why your flat is draughty, or you’re ready to plan a full home decarbonisation project, Loco Home is here to guide you every step of the way.

Here’s how you can take action today:

• Explore Our Resources: Check out our newly expanded digital guides and case studies to learn what’s possible for your property type.
• Come to an Event: Keep an eye out for our upcoming deep-dive workshops and Open Home visits across Glasgow.
• Join the Movement: Become a member of Loco Home Retrofit, connect with fellow residents, and help us build a warmer, greener, and more resilient Glasgow together.

Want to read the full report? You can access “Our Scotland, Our Future: Public Engagement Strategy for Climate and Nature 2026” on the Scottish Government website.