Utilities companies must focus on the upsides to customers of decarbonisation of heat if they are to overcome a widespread reluctance to act on the issue, an expert has told Utility Week. Energy Systems Catapult has published a survey showing that although there is consensus on the need for climate action, less than half of those polled believed gas central heating was a contributor to climate change and only 2 per cent have switched to a low-carbon alternative. Cost and convenience are seen as the biggest barriers to transition.