Dan Jørgensen was appointed as the EU’s Energy and Housing Commissioner on Wednesday, 6 November, following a supporting vote after his hearing with the Industry, Research and Energy, and Employment and Social Affairs committees. The hearing on Tuesday, 5 November, saw MEPs question Jørgensen on his plans and priorities, with some questions on the decarbonisation of heating and cooling (H&C).
In his opening statement, Jørgensen emphasised the multifaceted role of energy policy, which intersects with issues such as competitiveness, job creation, economic growth, security amid the war in Ukraine, climate change, and social justice. He pledged that a main priority would be to bring down energy prices. He also addressed the decarbonisation of the EU’s energy mix through deploying more renewable energy and reducing dependence on costly imported fossil fuels. This is a strategy that can enhance European competitiveness, support household budgets, and ensure effective climate action.
On heating and cooling
MEP Niels Fuglsang (Denmark, S&D) zeroed in on the issue of H&C, noting that the sector accounts for almost half of the EU’s energy consumption, and over 70% of H&C is still powered by fossil fuels. Fuglsang pressed the commissioner on what solutions he intends to support, and how he would ensure the decarbonisation of the sector to achieve independence from Russian gas.
Jørgensen emphasised that decarbonising buildings is essential to meet climate targets and ensure energy security. He underscored the pivotal role of electrification and heat pumps in the EU’s heat transition, along with complementary solutions such as district heating and geothermal energy. He also committed to the development of a geothermal strategy to support heating needs, but omitted to mention solar thermal.
Jørgensen did commit to a holistic approach to energy poverty through a rollout of renewable energy, as well as electricity market design and consumer empowerment to support heating needs. However, on the subject of energy efficiency—critical for both alleviating energy poverty and achieving the EU’s climate targets—Jørgensen was less definitive. While he did not rule out a potential 2040 target, he expressed reservations about the effectiveness of a target-based approach for achieving these goals, while supporting a new goal for renewable energy.
Unifying action on heating and cooling
Research from the Cool Heating Coalition revealed that current EU policies, even if optimally implemented, are not enough to decarbonise H&C by 2040, nor by 2050. The sector’s provisions are scattered across multiple legislative files, creating significant challenges for cohesive action. A dedicated action plan for heating and cooling—noticeably not mentioned by Commissioner Jørgensen during Tuesday’s hearing—could provide a much-needed framework to accelerate progress and close critical policy gaps.
The Cool Heating Coalition looks forward to working with Commissioner Jørgensen, hoping that he will steer Europe on course towards a fully decarbonised heating and cooling sector, and a clean renewables-based energy system that can provide secure, climate-friendly and affordable energy for all. His success will depend on whether he can bring renewed momentum into the transition to clean heating and cooling across the EU.
