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Sustainable heating & cooling systems are crucial to reach EU's energy and climate objectives

Local and regional leaders call for more concrete action to boost sustainable heating and cooling in Europe. Heating and cooling accounts for 50% of energy consumption in the EU which makes it crucial to reach EU’s energy objectives and climate commitments. Developing smart district heating solutions would have a positive impact on the environment and on increasing energy security, recall cities and regions in an opinion adopted yesterday during the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions. 

While welcoming recent developments for sustainable heating and cooling in Europe, the European Committee of the Regions calls on the Commission to come up with more concrete actions and to better connect existing financial support mechanisms to achieve a multiplier effect. Heating and cooling accounts for 50% of energy consumption in the EU. Developing smart district heating solutions would have a positive impact on reducing emissions and on decreasing dependency on external suppliers, recall local leaders.

"The European Commission's strategy on heating and cooling is a major step forward but it lacks clarity", said Daiva Matonienė (LT/ECR), member of Šiauliai City Council, Deputy Minister for Environment of Lithuania and rapporteur of the draft opinion 'An EU strategy on Heating and Cooling' .

Matonienė's pledges are key to reaching the EU’s energy and climate objectives less than one month ahead of the global climate summit COP22 in Marrakesh.

"As local and regional authorities, we need to lead on this local issue and work towards preparing strategies for the promotion of sustainable heating and cooling. The Commission has a role to play in providing support, be it financial or technical, but it is important that the EU recognises that local and regional authorities are at the heart of this process", said Ms Matonienė.

Local and regional authorities underlined the importance of being considered partners in the EU's work in this area and emphasised the diversity of conditions they face. Local and regional experiences are key in this issue as planning heating systems, developing infrastructure, attracting investors and consulting consumers are competencies of local and regional authorities.

Local leaders are providing recommendations for the European Commission strategy for heating and cooling, included in the 'sustainable energy security package', which was submitted to the Council and the Parliament in February 2016.

Ms Matonienė explained that the "EU support must take into account the diverse conditions that exist for heating and cooling. No EU country or region is the same. They face different geographic and demographic conditions. In turn, the development of heating and cooling systems differs from one locality to another. This diversity means that there is no one-size-fits all approach". Ms Matonienė also called for administrative and legal barriers that are slowing down the development of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants and networks to be removed.

Ms Matonienė stressed that "Financial support instruments from EU bodies along with private investments play an important role in developing sustainable district heating and cooling networks in our cities", referring to the success that the

EU's Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) programme has had in Lithuania, her home country.

Contact:David Crous +32 (0) 470 88 10 37

David Crous 
david.crous@cor.europa.eu 
+32 (0) 470 88 10 37

 

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