Efficient Buildings Europe at Energy Cities' Mayors' Club dinner on financing local heating and cooling

Will the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) truly support local heating and cooling infrastructure? On 15 October, our Head of EU Policy, Rémi Collombet, joined Energy Cities’ Mayors’ Club dinner in Brussels, organised with the Bring Heat Home campaign, where local and EU representatives shared best practices and reflected on solutions to close the financing gap for decarbonising heating and cooling, one of the most complex challenges in the energy transition.

The discussion came as the European Commission prepares its Energy Security Package, including a Heating and Cooling Strategy, while negotiations on the MFF are underway. Without clear mechanisms to channel resources to cities, Member States risk missing the opportunity to align investment priorities with local needs.

For Rémi, the decarbonisation and renovation of buildings will require stronger cooperation between cities, building owners, industry, contractors, EU institutions and financial institutions. The technologies are already here. We now need to focus on implementing existing legislation and adopting a long-term, stable support framework.

Many thanks to Energy Cities for the opportunity to exchange. Efficient Buildings Europe is a partner of the Bring Heat Home campaign.