Put EU 2040 climate goal into practice with heat pumps

The European Commission presented today the EU’s climate target plan for 2040, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% on 1990 levels. While this level keeps the EU on track for net zero emissions by 2050, the pivotal role of heat pumps in decarbonising heating and cooling in buildings and industry is sidelined.
 
The EU ‘communication’ – meaning it is not at this point a legislative proposal –  recognises electrification as the main driver of the energy transition, but barely refers to the equally crucial need to move away from fossil fuels. What’s more, heat pumps – an electric, renewable heating and cooling technology – feature in the accompanying impact assessment, only get a few mentions in the topline communication.