A survey across five European nations found that a majority of respondents favored encouraging air conditioning adoption over prioritizing carbon emission reductions, especially after recent heatwaves. Cost was the primary barrier to installation, though many believed alternative cooling methods could also be effective.
The survey highlights a potential conflict between public demand for immediate comfort during extreme heat and long-term climate goals, posing a challenge for European policymakers navigating energy transition and adaptation strategies.
A recent survey across five major European nations—France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain—along with the UK, indicates a public preference for increased air conditioning adoption over prioritizing carbon emission reductions, particularly following a summer marked by extreme heatwaves. The YouGov poll, conducted in July and August, revealed that a significant majority in each country favored air conditioning being installed as standard in all new homes and supported making it easier to install without requiring permission from local councils or landlords. Many also backed government subsidies for homeowners.
In most surveyed countries, a greater percentage of respondents believed that allowing and encouraging more air conditioning to mitigate heatwave harms should take precedence over lowering CO2 emissions. The perceived impact on reducing heatwave harms was also rated higher than the impact on national climate figures. Air conditioning take-up varies widely across Europe, with Italy and Spain having higher rates compared to France, Germany, and the UK.
Cost emerged as the primary barrier to air conditioning ownership, cited by a majority of respondents in each country. While climate impact was a less frequently mentioned obstacle, it was more prominent in France. Despite the general support for air conditioning, a notable portion of respondents felt that problems associated with heatwaves could be addressed through alternative means, such as improved insulation and reflective roofs, which a larger number believed governments should prioritize.
For those who owned air conditioning, the benefits were clear, with a high percentage reporting comfortable internal temperatures during recent heatwaves. However, a significant minority of owners in some countries indicated that the cost of running the units led them to use it less than needed or to cut spending in other areas.