{"id":2023087,"date":"2026-07-02T13:49:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T10:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2023087"},"modified":"2026-07-02T13:49:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T10:49:07","slug":"brussels-supports-air-conditioning-but-not-as-the-main-answer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2023087","title":{"rendered":"Brussels supports air conditioning\u2014but not as the main answer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/26\/97\/1200x675_cmsv2_2f053cbc-7a45-5d1f-bcb4-f887f33d1479-9822697.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2906792-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2906792\" data-cid=\"9822949\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906792-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/29\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_ecbb4d1f-31e6-57c7-9a74-541dc94b9b82-9822949.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Protesters try to remove a barricade as police hold it during clashes at an anti-government rally in Tirana, 2 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Albanian police fire water cannon as Trump-linked protests boil over\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906797-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2906797\" data-cid=\"9822978\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906797-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/29\/78\/189x106_cmsv2_0a631976-d39f-51a5-90aa-d046ec3ee170-9822978.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"There are some budget airline routes to Asian destinations like Phuket if you go via the Middle East or India\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How to fly to Asia from Europe for less\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906775-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2906775\" data-cid=\"9822834\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906775-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/28\/34\/189x106_cmsv2_fb112389-2c57-53ac-9d33-1086f4fd970b-9822834.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Workers complete an electric car on an assembly line during a press tour at a Volkswagen AG plant in Germany.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU car industry clashes over strategy to fight Chinese competitors\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906740-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2906740\" data-cid=\"9822666\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906740-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/26\/66\/189x106_cmsv2_8d4331a8-2b10-52dc-a0da-378fd68225f6-9822666.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Britain&apos;s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, center, attends a meeting with campaigners to discuss historical forced adoption, at Downing Street, in London, Thursday July 2, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Starmer issues state apology for decades of forced adoptions in UK\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906792-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2906792\" data-cid=\"9822949\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906792-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/29\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_ecbb4d1f-31e6-57c7-9a74-541dc94b9b82-9822949.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Protesters try to remove a barricade as police hold it during clashes at an anti-government rally in Tirana, 2 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Albanian police fire water cannon as Trump-linked protests boil over\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906797-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2906797\" data-cid=\"9822978\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906797-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/29\/78\/189x106_cmsv2_0a631976-d39f-51a5-90aa-d046ec3ee170-9822978.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"There are some budget airline routes to Asian destinations like Phuket if you go via the Middle East or India\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How to fly to Asia from Europe for less\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906775-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2906775\" data-cid=\"9822834\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906775-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/28\/34\/189x106_cmsv2_fb112389-2c57-53ac-9d33-1086f4fd970b-9822834.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Workers complete an electric car on an assembly line during a press tour at a Volkswagen AG plant in Germany.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU car industry clashes over strategy to fight Chinese competitors\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906740-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2906740\" data-cid=\"9822666\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906740-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/26\/66\/189x106_cmsv2_8d4331a8-2b10-52dc-a0da-378fd68225f6-9822666.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Britain&apos;s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, center, attends a meeting with campaigners to discuss historical forced adoption, at Downing Street, in London, Thursday July 2, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Starmer issues state apology for decades of forced adoptions in UK\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Brussels supports air conditioning\u2014but not as the main answer<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/26\/97\/1536x864_cmsv2_2f053cbc-7a45-5d1f-bcb4-f887f33d1479-9822697.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Air conditioning external units are seen on the wall of a building in Rome, Tuesday, July 25, 2023.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Air conditioning external units are seen on the wall of a building in Rome, Tuesday, July 25, 2023.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo \/ Andrew Medichini<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo \/ Andrew Medichini\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMarta Pacheco\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1783000147\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-07-02 15:49:07 +02:00\">02\/07\/2026 &#8211; 15:49 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Cooling Europe&#8217;s cities will require\u00a0a combination of measures, with air conditioning serving as just one element of a broader climate adaptation strategy, one EU official said.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>European Commission officials privately acknowledge that air conditioning is essential during increasingly frequent heatwaves, as passive cooling measures such as shading and insulation will not always be sufficient.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>But as cooling demand rises, they also argue that relying solely on air conditioning would drive up electricity consumption, require additional power generation and leave households facing higher energy bills, particularly given today&#8217;s high electricity prices.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Air conditioning is definitely one of the tools and a very necessary tool. In some cases, insulation or other passive strategies are not sufficient,&#8221; one EU official said on condition of anonymity, after a brutal heatwave exposed Europe&#8217;s lack of preparedness to cope with rising temperatures.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;At the same time, if you rely only on air conditioning, you may have to pay a lot for installation because you need a big generator to produce equally, but also you can end up with high energy bills,&#8221; the EU official said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Neither pro nor con: EU declines to take stand on AC debate amid brutal heatwave<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Moreover, the widespread installation of air conditioners can worsen the urban &#8220;heat island&#8221; effect through waste heat, the EU official added, reinforcing the need for green spaces, shading, building orientation and better city design.<\/p>\n<p>The EU official outlined the rationale behind the bloc&#8217;s upcoming climate adaptation strategy, due in the fourth quarter of 2026, which will seek to shift governments away from disaster recovery towards prevention and resilience. <\/p>\n<p>Overall, the Commission advocates a &#8220;holistic&#8221; approach that combines passive and efficient cooling technologies. Rather than encouraging mass installation of air-conditioning units, Brussels wants Europe to prioritise cooler buildings and cities through design, insulation and passive measures, using efficient air conditioning where it is genuinely needed.<\/p>\n<h2>Air-conditioning units vs fixed systems<\/h2>\n<p>EU officials acknowledge that portable air conditioners remain popular because they require no installation, but warned that they are considerably less energy-efficient than fixed systems. <\/p>\n<p>The Commission noted that modern fixed units are &#8220;highly efficient&#8221;, often operating as reversible heat pumps that can help decarbonise heating as well as provide cooling. <\/p>\n<p>EU energy-labelling and eco-design rules have steadily improved their efficiency since 2002, with further regulatory updates planned, the EU official said.<\/p>\n<p>However, the Commission noted that the installation of air-conditioning is typically regulated at regional or local level.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You need urban premises to install a solar shading fa\u00e7ade or to install air conditioning. And member states, regions, and municipalities really need flexibility and to decide the approach that works best for them,&#8221; the EU official said.<\/p>\n<p>Veteran lawmaker Pascal Canfin (France\/Renew Europe) said that reducing the climate adaptation debate to &#8220;for or against air conditioning&#8221; was &#8220;simplistic&#8221;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">As Europe braces for a second heatwave, the EU&#8217;s Green Deal faces crucial summer test<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;I believe schools and hospitals should be air-conditioned so that children, elderly people, or people who are ill aren&#8217;t left alone to face heat that has become dangerous. But air conditioning isn&#8217;t the answer to everything,&#8221; Canfin told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>The French MEP noted that air-conditioning alone can&#8217;t solve infrastructure vulnerability or declining agricultural yields, noting that it is &#8220;ineffective to systematically reject every technological adaptation solution as it is to rely on a single miracle fix&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Terry Reintke, co-president of the Greens\/EFA in the European Parliament, said the &#8220;absolute priority&#8221; is to save lives, protect the most vulnerable and those without access to cooling. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We need to reimagine our urban spaces: planting trees, restoring wetlands, and creating cooling zones with water features and green corridors. Nature-based solutions are not just aesthetic, they are life-saving infrastructure,&#8221; Reintke told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>However, the German lawmaker noted that the latest heatwave was a &#8220;wake-up call to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels&#8221;, which she said are the root cause of this escalating danger.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We must double down on renewable energy to power our cities without cooking the planet,&#8221; Reintke added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Extreme heat: Portugal under red warning and state of alert<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Keeping cool has become Europe&#8217;s latest climate class war<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Can heat pumps cool down your home and how do they compare to air conditioning units?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Commission<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Climate emergency<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Air Conditioning<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  climate change<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2906568-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906568\" data-cid=\"9821861\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906568-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/16\/52\/320x180_cmsv2_0f16fec8-a3ac-5965-93b3-5b705e47edc9-9821652.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Reza Pahlavi\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran deal is &#8216;a pause before the next war,&#8217; Pahlavi tells Euronews<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2906619-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906619\" data-cid=\"9822187\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906619-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/21\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_d3029938-f205-5cf7-a80e-ce602bdb5970-9822187.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during the question-and-answer session with the government in the Bundestag in Berlin, 24 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany&#8217;s Merz announces sweeping reforms in key breakthrough<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2906792-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906792\" data-cid=\"9822949\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906792-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/21\/83\/320x180_cmsv2_bc530208-d58e-5910-a76e-72d6ded1270f-9822183.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Travellers queue up at Zaventem airport in Brussels.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Entry-Exit System could be a nightmare for Europe&#8217;s summer travellers<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2906757-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906757\" data-cid=\"9822736\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906757-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/27\/36\/320x180_cmsv2_54b0ae3b-cdf6-5255-abaa-474a6ba109e7-9822736.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Residents remove rubble from damaged buildings in the al-Hajar al-Aswad neighbourhood on the outskirts of Damascus, 29 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Damascus explosion caused by bomb, Syrian state TV says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2906338-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906338\" data-cid=\"9820430\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Nine of top 10 strongest passports globally 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borders with Finland, Estonia and Latvia<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2906295-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906295\" data-cid=\"9820269\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Heat kills 900 in Spain&#8217;s second-hottest June on record<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2906381-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906381\" data-cid=\"9820618\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Did The Simpsons really predict the final of the 2026 World Cup?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906568-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906568\" data-cid=\"9821861\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906568-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/16\/52\/320x180_cmsv2_0f16fec8-a3ac-5965-93b3-5b705e47edc9-9821652.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Reza Pahlavi\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran deal is &#8216;a pause before the next war,&#8217; Pahlavi tells Euronews<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906619-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906619\" data-cid=\"9822187\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906619-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/21\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_d3029938-f205-5cf7-a80e-ce602bdb5970-9822187.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during the question-and-answer session with the government in the Bundestag in Berlin, 24 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany&#8217;s Merz announces sweeping reforms in key breakthrough<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906792-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906792\" data-cid=\"9822949\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906792-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/29\/49\/320x180_cmsv2_ecbb4d1f-31e6-57c7-9a74-541dc94b9b82-9822949.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Protesters try to remove a barricade as police hold it during clashes at an anti-government rally in Tirana, 2 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Albanian police fire water cannon as Trump-linked protests boil over<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906665-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906665\" data-cid=\"9822183\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906665-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/21\/83\/320x180_cmsv2_bc530208-d58e-5910-a76e-72d6ded1270f-9822183.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Travellers queue up at Zaventem airport in Brussels.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Entry-Exit System could be a nightmare for Europe&#8217;s summer travellers<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906757-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906757\" data-cid=\"9822736\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906757-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/27\/36\/320x180_cmsv2_54b0ae3b-cdf6-5255-abaa-474a6ba109e7-9822736.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Residents remove rubble from damaged buildings in the al-Hajar al-Aswad neighbourhood on the outskirts of Damascus, 29 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Damascus explosion caused by bomb, Syrian state TV says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906338-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906338\" data-cid=\"9820430\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Nine of top 10 strongest passports globally are European<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905837-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905837\" data-cid=\"9819253\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    New venomous spider species discovered in Portugal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906339-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906339\" data-cid=\"9820431\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia closes railway borders with Finland, Estonia and Latvia<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906295-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906295\" data-cid=\"9820269\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Heat kills 900 in Spain&#8217;s second-hottest June on record<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906381-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906381\" data-cid=\"9820618\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Did The Simpsons really predict the final of the 2026 World Cup?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">European Commission officials privately acknowledge that air conditioning is essential during increasingly frequent heatwaves, as passive cooling measures such as shading and insulation will not always be sufficient.But as cooling demand rises, they also argue that relying solely on air conditioning would drive up electricity consumption, require additional power generation and leave households facing higher energy bills, particularly given today&#8217;s high electricity prices.&#8221;Air conditioning is definitely one of the tools and a very necessary tool. In some cases, insulation or other passive strategies are not sufficient,&#8221; one EU official said on condition of anonymity, after a brutal heatwave exposed Europe&#8217;s lack of preparedness to cope with rising temperatures.&#8221;At the same time, if you rely only on air conditioning, you may have to pay a lot for installation because you need a big generator to produce equally, but also you can end up with high energy bills,&#8221; the EU official said.Moreover, the widespread installation of air conditioners can worsen the urban &#8220;heat island&#8221; effect through waste heat, the EU official added, reinforcing the need for green spaces, shading, building orientation and better city design.The EU official outlined the rationale behind the bloc&#8217;s upcoming climate adaptation strategy, due in the fourth quarter of 2026, which will seek to shift governments away from disaster recovery towards prevention and resilience.Overall, the Commission advocates a &#8220;holistic&#8221; approach that combines passive and efficient cooling technologies. Rather than encouraging mass installation of air-conditioning units, Brussels wants Europe to prioritise cooler buildings and cities through design, insulation and passive measures, using efficient air conditioning where it is genuinely needed.Air-conditioning units vs fixed systemsEU officials acknowledge that portable air conditioners remain popular because they require no installation, but warned that they are considerably less energy-efficient than fixed systems.The Commission noted that modern fixed units are &#8220;highly efficient&#8221;, often operating as reversible heat pumps that can help decarbonise heating as well as provide cooling.EU energy-labelling and eco-design rules have steadily improved their efficiency since 2002, with further regulatory updates planned, the EU official said.However, the Commission noted that the installation of air-conditioning is typically regulated at regional or local level.&#8221;You need urban premises to install a solar shading fa\u00e7ade or to install air conditioning. And member states, regions, and municipalities really need flexibility and to decide the approach that works best for them,&#8221; the EU official said.Veteran lawmaker Pascal Canfin (France\/Renew Europe) said that reducing the climate adaptation debate to &#8220;for or against air conditioning&#8221; was &#8220;simplistic&#8221;.&#8221;I believe schools and hospitals should be air-conditioned so that children, elderly people, or people who are ill aren&#8217;t left alone to face heat that has become dangerous. But air conditioning isn&#8217;t the answer to everything,&#8221; Canfin told Euronews.The French MEP noted that air-conditioning alone can&#8217;t solve infrastructure vulnerability or declining agricultural yields, noting that it is &#8220;ineffective to systematically reject every technological adaptation solution as it is to rely on a single miracle fix&#8221;.Terry Reintke, co-president of the Greens\/EFA in the European Parliament, said the &#8220;absolute priority&#8221; is to save lives, protect the most vulnerable and those without access to cooling.\u00a0&#8220;We need to reimagine our urban spaces: planting trees, restoring wetlands, and creating cooling zones with water features and green corridors. Nature-based solutions are not just aesthetic, they are life-saving infrastructure,&#8221; Reintke told Euronews.However, the German lawmaker noted that the latest heatwave was a &#8220;wake-up call to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels&#8221;, which she said are the root cause of this escalating danger.&#8221;We must double down on renewable energy to power our cities without cooking the planet,&#8221; Reintke added.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/07\/02\/brussels-supports-air-conditioningbut-not-as-the-main-answer&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/26\/97\/1200x675_cmsv2_2f053cbc-7a45-5d1f-bcb4-f887f33d1479-9822697.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Albanian police fire water cannon as Trump-linked protests boil over Destinations How to fly to Asia from Europe for less Europe News EU car industry clashes over strategy to fight Chinese competitors Europe News Starmer issues state apology for decades of forced adoptions in UK Europe News Albanian police fire [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2023087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2023087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2023087"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2023087\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2023087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2023087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2023087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}