European Commision
Summary
As European cities work hard to decarbonise, they are also grappling with unprecedented heatwaves driven by rising temperatures. The challenge of extreme heat is no longer a distant threat but a present-day reality, making sustainable and clean cooling solutions an urgent priority.
Between 2010 and 2019, final energy use for cooling in residential buildings across the eurozone tripled, and forecasts suggest that by 2050, cooling alone could account for up to 9% of total energy use. Local governments now face a critical question: how to cool buildings and public spaces without compromising climate objectives, so they can protect communities and keep their cities healthy, liveable, and dynamic in a hotter world.
While air conditioning has become the most common response, it is not a long-term solution. Conventional AC systems are highly energy-intensive, release additional heat into surrounding streets, and drive-up greenhouse gas emissions. Paradoxically, they make cities even hotter and lock them into fossil fuel dependence. As more households and businesses install individual units, the risk of maladaptation grows, intensifying urban heat islands, straining electricity grids and undermining decarbonisation goals.
This is where district cooling comes in. A central facility produces chilled water and distributes it through an underground network to multiple buildings. District cooling offers clear benefits for cities aiming to safeguard public health and cut emissions. It provides efficient cooling for all building types, uses less energy than individual air conditioning, and can be powered by local, low-carbon sources such as sea or river water, geothermal energy, or waste heat.
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