Renewable heating and cooling technologies are essential in keeping European homes comfortable all year round – come rain come shine. With the added bonus of reducing the carbon footprint of out outdated building stock. Europe can and must transition to a warmer, greener and fairer built environment by banking on a different energy system.
Continue reading to find out more about why heat pumps are essential for the success of the green energy transition.
The price of fossil fuels
In 2024 alone, Europe spent over € 375 billion on importing polluting fossil fuels. A mouth-dropping 67.4% of all the EU’s energy came from coal, oil, and gas in 2023. This dependency makes us vulnerable to supply disruptions and price spikes—sending millions into energy poverty. Between 2021 and 2023, the number of Europeans unable to heat their homes jumped from 6.9% to 10.6%.
Buildings that are powered by fossil fuels are also heating up the climate crisis. EU homes and buildings are responsible for more than 30% of all energy-related emissions, extreme and erratic weather, food insecurity, and economic inequality. Luckily, there are solutions to this double-edged issue.
Heat pumps: clean heat, better future
Heat pumps are rapidly becoming the heating system of choice across Europe. Countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland have embraced them as the norm. The demand across Europe continues to increase and we are not alone. Heat pump sales in the US overtook gas boilers for the first time in 2022.
Heat pumps significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. In a nutshell, they are climate friendly, efficient and cost effective. A triangle of positive attributes that the International Energy Agency, describes as “the central technology in the global transition to secure and sustainable heating.”
A real solution, now what?
They must be rolled-out to more homes across Europe, in particular to the tens of millions faced with energy poverty who can benefit from clean heat, free from the life-threatening indoor air pollution that comes from burning fuels in homes.
Every household that transitions to renewable heating is a step toward energy security, lower emissions, and healthier lives.
Decarbonising Europe’s homes is one of the most effective ways to:
- Lift people out of energy poverty
- Save billions in fossil fuel imports
- Cut emissions and slow the climate crisis
- Create jobs and economic resilience
- Improve health outcomes for millions
Changing heating systems in our homes is not just about improving homes, it is about system change. We need bold policies, public investment, and a commitment to making renewable heating affordable and accessible to all—especially for those who need it most.
Because everyone deserves a decent and warm home that does not compromise their well-being and so does the planet.
This article is part of the collectibles action campaign that was launched in January 2025. You can find out more about the action here and about the previously highlighted renovation item here and here.