Key facts
- Europe is facing a second heatwave after a previous one caused approximately 1,300 deaths.
- The EU's Green Deal aims to reduce energy consumption and fossil fuel reliance.
- There is a debate among EU lawmakers regarding the increased use of air conditioning to combat extreme heat.
- Concerns exist about the energy demand from air conditioning straining the EU's power grid.
- The European Green Party argues that extreme heat is a continent-wide crisis and calls for strengthening Green Deal protections.
Europe is grappling with increasingly intense heatwaves, putting the European Green Deal's long-term climate objectives to a critical summer test. The continent, which historically focused on insulating buildings against cold, is now finding many structures are ill-equipped to handle extreme heat, leading to a surge in demand for air conditioning.
This growing need for cooling presents a political paradox for the European Commission. While the Green Deal promotes electrification and renewable energy, a widespread adoption of air conditioning could significantly strain the bloc's aging power grid and increase energy consumption. Lawmakers are divided on the issue, with some advocating for air conditioning as an obvious solution to immediate heat stress, while others express concern about its climate implications and energy demands.
EU lawmakers like Roman Haiden and Michal Kobosko view air conditioning as a necessity, with Kobosko emphasizing the need for Europe to produce its own systems and secure additional clean energy sources. Ana Vasconcelos suggests market-driven solutions with reduced tax and regulatory burdens. Critics, however, warn that a surge in electricity demand could necessitate costly grid investments and backup generation.
Supporters of increased air conditioning point to the EU's Grids Package, designed to modernize the power grid for clean energy, as capable of meeting these demands, even those from data centers. This situation is prompting a broader reevaluation of climate policy, with cooling increasingly being considered critical infrastructure rather than a mere consumer choice.
Historically, air conditioning was uncommon in Northern Europe, but demand is rising rapidly across countries like France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This shift is evident in consumer behavior, with long queues for air conditioning units reported in the UK. Public spaces like schools, hospitals, and care homes are also struggling to cope with extreme temperatures.
The challenge for EU lawmakers lies in aligning adaptation strategies with decarbonization goals. Some EU regions have already scaled back or delayed Green Deal elements due to concerns about competitiveness, prompting the European Green Party to call for an emergency meeting. They argue that extreme heat constitutes a security, health, and economic crisis, urging for strengthened Green Deal protections. Consumer organizations like BEUC advocate for passive cooling solutions alongside air conditioning, while also noting the potential of heat pumps for both heating and cooling, though upfront costs remain a barrier.