The EU Heating and Cooling Strategy: A promise of transformation and decarbonisation

GCP Europe is pleased to invite you to a panel debate on 15 June 2016, organised in the framework of the European Union Sustainable Energy Week. It is jointly organised by Celsius City, EHI, Euroheat & Power, GCP Europe, and UNEP. GCP Europe will be represented by Mr Tim Rook, Technical Director at the Building Engineering Services Association (United Kingdom).

With the publication of the Energy Union strategy in November 2015 and the EU Heating & Cooling Strategy in February 2016, the European Commission has launched a new process stating that the objectives of EU climate and energy policy can only be achieved with significant changes in the heating sector.

Heating and cooling are together the largest single source of energy demand in Europe, currently met largely by fossil fuels. The sector requires a level of attention from policy-makers consistent with both its size and the scale of its potential contribution to both the climate and energy ambitions of the EU and worldwide. Renewables – mostly biomass – currently account for a small share of Europe’s heat production. Preparing the ground for a greater uptake of efficient and renewable heating and cooling will be a key challenge for policy-makers in the years ahead.  New and integrated policy and technology solutions will be required to create flexibility in energy demand, enable short and long-term energy storage, and make intelligent use of synergies across sectors (such as power, sanitation, sewage treatment, transport and waste). The central role of consumers and their contribution to the decarbonisation of the European heating & cooling sector will be an underlying theme throughout this event.
 
Therefore, this session will offer an active panel debate by providing speakers from different levels of governance and stakeholders. Panelists will discuss the opportunities and challenges in achieving a transition to sustainable heating and cooling systems. European cities, industry, and installers have the opportunity to retain global leadership in the energy transition by sharing experience and catalysing action in developing countries and in emerging economies.
 
This panel debate will tackle the challenge of how the EU can accelerate the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector, and increased security of supply, in the most cost-effective manner in view of its 2030 climate and energy ambitions.
A transformation has to take place in terms of governance of energy planning, production and consumption. Therefore, this session will emphasise the key role of cities and local communities in delivering the European Union energy goals for 2030 and 2050 and realising the promise of the Energy Union. It will bring the unique local vision and expertise to the European debate on heating and cooling.
 
Join us for this Panel Debate and let´s shape together a decarbonized energy future for Europe!
 
The event will feature a keynote, a panel discussion, and an interactive Q&A session with the audience. 

 

Date:

Wednesday, 15 June 2016

Time:

09:00 - 10:30 

Place:

Room Polak, Résidence Palace, Brussels, Belgium.
For details on the location, click here.

Registration:

In order to attend the High Level Panel Debate, you need to log on to your EUSEW account or create an account on the EUSEW website and register for the session here

Agenda:

The updated draft agenda is available here.

The full details of the event are on the page on the official website: www.eusew.eu