Cool Heating Coalition has joined a powerful alliance of businesses and civil society organisations in signing an open letter urging EU leadership to prioritise clean heating in the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal. Addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other top officials, the letter calls for decisive action to accelerate the transition towards cleaner, more competitive heating and cooling solutions across the bloc.
The signatories highlight that heating and cooling account for almost half of Europe’s total energy demand, making their decarbonisation essential for meeting climate goals and safeguarding industrial competitiveness. The letter outlines key priorities to achieve this, including fast-tracking European leadership in clean heat technologies, boosting demand for sustainable heating solutions, and making air quality a central pillar of Europe’s net-zero economy.
The letter underscores the importance of leveraging Europe’s existing strengths. Currently, between 60-73% of heat pumps installed in Europe are manufactured domestically, while European companies hold 69% of high-value patents in district heating and cooling. However, signatories warn that without clear policy incentives, investment and innovation in the sector could slow, hampering Europe’s ability to meet its climate and industrial ambitions.
With the Clean Industrial Deal on the horizon, the Cool Heating Coalition alongside EHPA, Euroheat & Power, SolarPower Europe, European Climate Foundation, EGEC, Solar Heat Europe and Climate Strategy & Partners are calling on EU leaders to take swift action to drive investment, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and create a regulatory framework that supports a smooth and affordable clean heat transition.
