Yesterday, a coalition of 19 organisations, including industry associations, non-governmental organisations, consumer groups and think tanks, made an urgent appeal to European Commission President von der Leyen.
An unexpected delay in the publication of the Heat Pump Action Plan, originally scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 and now delayed until after the EU elections, threatens Europe’s energy transition, they warn.
With heating and cooling responsible for 38% of Europe’s CO2 emissions, heat pumps will play a critical role in achieving climate neutrality and therefore a net-zero economy, leading to job creation and investment.
Josephien Vanbeselare, Head of EU Affairs at the European Heat Pump Association, said:
“The heat pump sector needs more stable policies to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels and energy imports to clean heat and energy independence. Failure to implement a Plan that can bring results is a mistake. We call on the Commission to publish the information today to get Europe back on track.”
Many of the signatory organizations contributed to the “accelerator” document setting out strategies to accelerate the uptake of heat pumps, which was presented to EU Energy Commissioner Simson in June 2023, and to the European Commission’s public consultation on the plan.
The delay in publishing the Heat Pump Action Plan – despite significant progress and the urgent need to galvanize slowing heat pump sales – risks undermining the momentum and undermining the long-term policy clarity needed to reassure consumers, the sector and all sections of society, including the most vulnerable.
Read the letter
Source ehpa
