The European heating system at a tipping point

Panel: 8. Buildings: technologies and systems beyond energy efficiency

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Mélissa Zill, European Environmental Citizens Organisation for Standardisation, Belgium
Edouard Toulouse, Independent consultant on energy efficiency, France
Gunnar Olesen, INFORSE EUROPE, Denmark
Davide Sabbadin, European Environmental Bureau, Belgium

Abstract

By committing to a 55% greenhouse gas emission reduction target by 2030, the EU has sent a strong signal towards decarbonisation. Domestic heating represents a major source of carbon emissions and a colossal transition is required to achieve this objective within a decade, both in terms of reducing heating demand through renovation and fuel switch.

Current trends, policies and regulations are far from being in line with this challenge. Recent studies report that Member States still largely subsidise fossil fuel heaters, while EU energy labels continue giving an A grade to gas boilers.

In this paper, we present and discuss available scenarios that investigate the possible changes in the heating sector by 2030: European Commission’s impact assessment of the 55% reduction target, technical preparatory studies for heating appliance regulations, alternative NGO scenarios, etc. Based on the analysis of these documents, we highlight some of the key factors to reach the 2030 goal: the importance of renovation, the necessary pace to phase out fossil fuel heating, the measures for boosting alternatives, and the potential role of hydrogen.

We then focus on the identified need to swiftly revise the EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulations for space heaters. Often overlooked and considered highly technical, these regulatory instruments have the potential to massively contribute to the 2030 target. But for that, they must be strengthened without delay and with the clear goal to end fossil fuel-based heating in a relatively short term. This paper investigates how this may be achieved.

Watch presentation