Solar Heat Europe, together with a group of other associations, think tank,s and NGOs active in the energy field, sent a letter to key players of the European Commission highlighting the need for binding targets and national plans to support the decarbonization of the heating and cooling sector.

The joint letter insists on the urgency of acting both in terms of time and adequate policies considering the unprecedented amount of fossil fuel-based heating systems in the EU. Currently, 80% of consumers heat their homes with fossil energy, which results in 30% of the total EU’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Solutions like mass adoption of sustainable heating systems are not sufficient to speed up the shift, as its success depends on a deep transformation of the energy system. This revolution requires the full commitment and cooperation between all relevant stakeholders, as an uncoordinated approach will lead to more expensive solutions and lock us into a fossil fuel-based infrastructure.

To avoid these risks, the signatories raised a call for including in the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive:

• binding targets for renewable heating and cooling sources
• a requirement for the Member States to develop and implement national plans to decarbonize the heating sector.

To support this call for action, the letter also includes policy recommendations and other suggestions ranging from financial incentives to training and awareness raising campaigns.

Find more information and read the full letter here.