EU declines to take a stand on air conditioning amid heatwave

The European Commission has explicitly declined to take a position on air conditioning, choosing not to dictate consumer choices even as a brutal heatwave kills at least 1,300 Europeans. Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated that regarding private households, "the Commission is not micromanaging how people should be going about this." The executive left the door open to changing its neutral stance if political pressure mounts across the bloc.

"We know most residential buildings and apartments in the European Union do not have air conditioning. It's not something that is traditionally in-built, especially given that much of our housing stock is actually quite old and aged," Itkonen said. The reluctance to intervene touches a major economic vulnerability for the continent. Only about 20% of European households have air conditioning, compared to 90% or more in the United States, Japan and South Korea.

The market implications of closing this infrastructure gap are substantial, yet Brussels insists the choice belongs to member states. "Ultimately, these decisions on whether something should be done or should not be done are obviously a question of competency and for member states," Itkonen said.

The cooling deficit is fast becoming a political issue that national governments are moving to address independently. In France, the far-right National Rally, currently leading polls ahead of next year's presidential election, has proposed a mass subsidised roll-out of AC units. Even Marine Tondelier, leader of the Greens, conceded that air conditioning is "becoming" necessary.

A rapid adoption of cooling systems presents a difficult dilemma for Europe's energy markets and grid operators. Critics warn that widespread AC use will drive up electricity demand and strain power networks. Advocates counter that it is an essential tool to maintain labour productivity and livable conditions.

The Commission argues the focus should be on the power source rather than the hardware itself, noting that 47% of EU electricity came from renewables in 2025. Instead of endorsing specific cooling technologies, Brussels is pointing to an Electrification Action Plan due next month that will outline measures to electrify heating and cooling systems.

This approach aligns with a broader scaling back of the EU's climate agenda. The 2050 climate neutrality target remains, but the overarching "Green Deal" framework has been drastically simplified under pressure from industry and governments. The Commission no longer uses the "Green Deal" label in official communications, opting instead for "net zero" and "decarbonisation".