On 24 June 2025, the Cool Heating Coalition brought policymakers, experts and citizens together in Brussels for a day dedicated to one of Europe’s most pressing – and overlooked – challenges: sustainable cooling. Under the twin banners of “Keep Your Cool: Sustainable Solutions for a Warming Continent” and “The Big Chill”, the events combined serious policy discussion with creativity and public engagement.
Shaping Europe’s response to extreme heat
Hosted in the European Parliament by MEP Dario Tamburrano, the morning conference set the tone for an urgent conversation on how Europe can adapt to rising temperatures while cutting emissions from heating and cooling. Moderator Delia Villagrasa, director of the Cool Heating Coalition opened the session, welcoming a full room of participants from EU institutions, industry, research and civil society.
The expert presentations explored the science, policy and market realities shaping Europe’s response to extreme heat. Dr Marie Cavitte set the scene with the latest data on climate trends to 2050, underscoring the growing urgency for action. From there, Allison Le Corre introduced the Cities Refresh campaign, showing how urban areas are innovating to protect citizens from heat stress. Adam Aucock, Eloi Piel, and Neil Parry then examined the opportunities for natural refrigerants and district cooling: from the policy incentives that can unlock investment, to the market outlook and practical benefits for cities. Throughout, the discussion highlighted the importance of local action, public procurement, and cross-sector collaboration in making sustainable cooling both viable and equitable, while Giulia Conforto’s interactive quiz kept the atmosphere lively and engaging.
The Big Chill: art, awareness and action
After the discussions, participants joined the Big Chill in nearby Square de Meeûs for a cooling-themed picnic. The lunchtime gathering transformed the park into a space for art, music, ice games and awareness-raising.
Belgian designer Jana Roos’s “Ice Adaptability” collection was on full display at the event, and participants were able to take photos with the resident “Ice Queen”. The event drew in passers-by and policymakers alike. It was an engaging reminder that sustainable cooling is not just a technical issue – it’s about the cities we live in, the air we breathe, and the communities we build.
A cool success
The day was hailed as a success by organisers and partners alike – including the CoolLIFE project, Euroheat & Power, coalition members the Environmental Investigation Agency, Shecco, and the Covenant of Mayors’ Cities Hit Refresh campaign. Together, they helped make cooling visible on the European policy agenda and brought fresh energy to the conversation about how Europe can truly keep its cool in a warming world.
Photo credit: Charis Brice