The Renewable Heating and Cooling Alliance is launched today to help ensure rapid, large-scale deployment of local, cost-effective, zero-emission heating and cooling solutions.

The Alliance calls for a robust policy and funding framework to ensure that half of the total heat and cooling consumption by 2030 comes from solar heating, heat pumps, geothermal energy and renewable district heating systems. This should deliver circa 300 000 new skilled jobs, reduce emissions by 762 mtCO2e, develop local industrial supply-chains, and importantly, low-cost, high-value heating and cooling solutions for customers as well as reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels.

Quotes:

Paul Voss, Secretary General of Euroheat and Power, said: “Upgrading existing district heating systems and building new networks is vital to decarbonising large sections of the buildings quickly and cost-effectively.”

Pedro Dias, Secretary General of Solar Heat Europe, said: “Solar heat already saves polluting emissions equivalent to 7 MtCO2 of every year in Europe. Much more can be achieved with an adequate regulatory framework promoting climate and future proof heating and cooling solutions.”

Thomas Nowak, Secretary General of EHPA, said: Heat pump technologies are readily available and reliable solutions for zero emission buildings. In order to fulfill the 2050 goal, an even faster market growth is necessary and this requires end-user activation. We need a change in the market framework, including a review of electricity taxation and the introduction of a CO2 price signal for heating, that makes the cleanest technologies also the most affordable ones.”

Philippe Dumas, Secretary General at EGEC, said: “Geothermal ground source heat pumps and district heating systems are essential to rapid elimination of fossil fuels in buildings, cities and industry. They are vital to delivering a 2030 climate and energy target that is fit for citizens, industry and the climate.”

Claire Roumet, Strategic Partnerships & Overall Coordination at Energy Cities, said: “Cities and citizens are at the forefront of the climate crisis and the climate solution. Renewable heating and cooling from local energy sources are critical to building local support and sharing the benefits of the energy transition.”