As EU media likes to grapple with increasingly extreme weather patterns—sweltering summers and biting winters—some climate activists try to convince the population to adapt rapidly to these challenges. While the EU continues to be isolated globally on its conviction to decarbonise, we cannot ignore the need for practical solutions that ensure the health, productivity, and well-being of our citizens today. In this context, air conditioning, particularly modern heat pump technology, emerges not as a luxury, but as a vital and often misunderstood tool for modern life.
The benefits of air conditioning extend far beyond mere comfort. During heatwaves, it becomes a life-saving technology, preventing heat-related illnesses and fatalities. Beyond safety, a temperature-controlled environment significantly improves sleep quality, boosts cognitive function and productivity in workplaces, and enhances the overall quality of life. Furthermore, modern AC systems, often functioning as heat pumps, also offer efficient heating in winter for temperate climates, providing a year-round solution for indoor climate control. They filter indoor air, reducing pollutants and allergens, and protect valuable electronics and furniture from the damaging effects of extreme temperatures and humidity.
The EU also boasts a significant and robust air conditioning manufacturing sector. This local production not only creates jobs and stimulates economic growth but also ensures a secure supply chain for essential climate control technologies. The EU Commission estimates that between 60% and 73% of heat pumps installed in the EU are produced within the EU, highlighting the strength of this domestic industry.
However, despite these compelling arguments and the clear benefits, the market for these vital technologies, particularly heat pumps that also provide cooling, faces significant headwinds. Recent data from the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) paints a concerning picture. After a decade of continuous growth, heat pump sales in 21 EU countries saw a 6.5% decrease in 2023 compared to the previous year. Preliminary figures for 2024 indicate an even sharper drop of 21% in Member States, representing around 90% of the market. This decline has already led to job cuts, with nearly 3,000 employees impacted in 2023 and over 4,000 jobs cut in 2024, with more than 6,000 suffering impacts. The reasons are multifaceted, including changes in government support schemes unsettling consumer confidence, a sluggish economy with a cost-of-living crisis, and the low price of subsidised gas making electric heat pumps less financially attractive.
This downturn is a setback for both climate adaptation and industrial competitiveness. Instead of allowing the discourse around air conditioning to become a sterile debate bogged down in political ideologies, we must recognise it for what it is: a practical, energy-efficient, and increasingly indispensable technology.
The path forward is clear: we must move beyond outdated perceptions and political squabbles. Air conditioning, especially in its modern heat pump iteration, is a fundamental component of resilient, comfortable, and energy-efficient living in a changing climate. By strategically investing in incentives and fostering a supportive policy environment, the EU can not only help its citizens adapt to current weather extremes but also solidify its leadership in green technology manufacturing, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
The recent wave of criticism against air conditioning reflects a broader shift in climate discourse. The debate is no longer limited to the environmental impact of fossil fuels; even the technologies that protect us from extreme heat are now under scrutiny. Activists and policymakers are increasingly framing air conditioning as both a cause and a symptom of climate change. They are highlighting its energy consumption and refrigerant emissions, as well as the social inequalities it may perpetuate. This new tendency requires a nuanced approach. Rather than demonising comfort, we must reconcile the undeniable need for cooling with the imperative of sustainability and equity.
When asked what enabled Singapore’s success beyond multicultural harmony, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding father, responded unequivocally: air conditioning. He described it as one of the most significant inventions in history, as it has fundamentally altered the trajectory of civilisation by making sustained development feasible in tropical climates. According to Lee, before air conditioning was invented, productive work in Singapore was limited to the cooler hours of the early morning or dusk. Recognising this constraint, his first major initiative as prime minister was to install air conditioning in government buildings, which he considered essential for ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service.
We should hope that the EU will emulate Singapore, not just in its pragmatic adoption of air conditioning, but also in achieving comparable economic prosperity.
Embracing Comfort and Sustainability: The Indispensable Role of Air Conditioning
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As EU media likes to grapple with increasingly extreme weather patterns—sweltering summers and biting winters—some climate activists try to convince the population to adapt rapidly to these challenges. While the EU continues to be isolated globally on its conviction to decarbonise, we cannot ignore the need for practical solutions that ensure the health, productivity, and well-being of our citizens today. In this context, air conditioning, particularly modern heat pump technology, emerges not as a luxury, but as a vital and often misunderstood tool for modern life.
The benefits of air conditioning extend far beyond mere comfort. During heatwaves, it becomes a life-saving technology, preventing heat-related illnesses and fatalities. Beyond safety, a temperature-controlled environment significantly improves sleep quality, boosts cognitive function and productivity in workplaces, and enhances the overall quality of life. Furthermore, modern AC systems, often functioning as heat pumps, also offer efficient heating in winter for temperate climates, providing a year-round solution for indoor climate control. They filter indoor air, reducing pollutants and allergens, and protect valuable electronics and furniture from the damaging effects of extreme temperatures and humidity.
The EU also boasts a significant and robust air conditioning manufacturing sector. This local production not only creates jobs and stimulates economic growth but also ensures a secure supply chain for essential climate control technologies. The EU Commission estimates that between 60% and 73% of heat pumps installed in the EU are produced within the EU, highlighting the strength of this domestic industry.
However, despite these compelling arguments and the clear benefits, the market for these vital technologies, particularly heat pumps that also provide cooling, faces significant headwinds. Recent data from the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) paints a concerning picture. After a decade of continuous growth, heat pump sales in 21 EU countries saw a 6.5% decrease in 2023 compared to the previous year. Preliminary figures for 2024 indicate an even sharper drop of 21% in Member States, representing around 90% of the market. This decline has already led to job cuts, with nearly 3,000 employees impacted in 2023 and over 4,000 jobs cut in 2024, with more than 6,000 suffering impacts. The reasons are multifaceted, including changes in government support schemes unsettling consumer confidence, a sluggish economy with a cost-of-living crisis, and the low price of subsidised gas making electric heat pumps less financially attractive.
This downturn is a setback for both climate adaptation and industrial competitiveness. Instead of allowing the discourse around air conditioning to become a sterile debate bogged down in political ideologies, we must recognise it for what it is: a practical, energy-efficient, and increasingly indispensable technology.
The path forward is clear: we must move beyond outdated perceptions and political squabbles. Air conditioning, especially in its modern heat pump iteration, is a fundamental component of resilient, comfortable, and energy-efficient living in a changing climate. By strategically investing in incentives and fostering a supportive policy environment, the EU can not only help its citizens adapt to current weather extremes but also solidify its leadership in green technology manufacturing, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
The recent wave of criticism against air conditioning reflects a broader shift in climate discourse. The debate is no longer limited to the environmental impact of fossil fuels; even the technologies that protect us from extreme heat are now under scrutiny. Activists and policymakers are increasingly framing air conditioning as both a cause and a symptom of climate change. They are highlighting its energy consumption and refrigerant emissions, as well as the social inequalities it may perpetuate. This new tendency requires a nuanced approach. Rather than demonising comfort, we must reconcile the undeniable need for cooling with the imperative of sustainability and equity.
When asked what enabled Singapore’s success beyond multicultural harmony, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding father, responded unequivocally: air conditioning. He described it as one of the most significant inventions in history, as it has fundamentally altered the trajectory of civilisation by making sustained development feasible in tropical climates. According to Lee, before air conditioning was invented, productive work in Singapore was limited to the cooler hours of the early morning or dusk. Recognising this constraint, his first major initiative as prime minister was to install air conditioning in government buildings, which he considered essential for ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service.
We should hope that the EU will emulate Singapore, not just in its pragmatic adoption of air conditioning, but also in achieving comparable economic prosperity.
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