Politics
Air pollution from heating and cooling: stepping up clean energy use urgently needed
Air pollution remains a critical environmental challenge in the EU, with the heating and cooling sector significantly contributing to the release of harmful pollutants. These emissions include 73% of particulate matter (PM2.5), 33% of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 2% ammonia (NH3), 18% of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), 61% of carbon monoxide (CO) and 49% of sulphur dioxide (SO2) – all of which pose serious health risks. Buildings and our homes are a key source of these pollutants.
Following the revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directive, several Member States will need to deploy additional efforts to comply with the more stringent air quality 2030 targets, as the EU has aligned its standards more closely with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air quality guideline levels.
In this situation, correctly identifying the drivers behind air pollution is crucial for selecting and recommending cleaner alternatives to current practices.
Despite a gradual shift to less polluting energy sources for heating in the EU, combustion devices emitting pollutants still dominate the energy mix, accounting for 97% of heat production in 2022, according to a JRC study.
The last two decades have seen progress in the quality and efficiency of European heating. While the EU27 decreased its overall gross final energy consumption (GFEC) in 2022 (latest data available at the time of the study) by 9.5% compared to 2005, consumption for heating and cooling has performed better, reducing by 16% over the same period. This is in part due to lower energy needs for heating buildings and partly to more efficient heating appliances.
The use of heat pumps, with no direct pollutant emissions, has increased six-fold since 2005, currently accounting for 3.7% of gross final energy consumption. While the heating and cooling sector achieved a 25% renewable energy share in 2022, heat pumps still represent a relatively small portion, contributing only 15%.
Pollutant emissions from heating are dominated by the residential sector (85% of PM2.5, 82% of NMVOC, 79% of ammonia and 76% of CO) showing the need for more stringent pollution emission limits to be set for appliances sold for use in this sector. The analysis shows that this is particularly relevant for biomass for PM2.5 and gas and biomass for NOx.
Building on earlier research on small-scale combustion and ongoing efforts to improve air pollutant emission estimates in the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR), the study pinpoints key factors influencing emissions:
- the type of fuel used (such as natural gas, wood, oil, pellets, or electricity),
- the technology employed (like stoves, chimneys, boilers or heat pumps),
- the overall efficiency of these systems.
National Energy and Climate Plans
The study also analysed both 2019 National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), and the 2023 draft NECPs which outline how EU countries intend to meet their energy and climate targets for 2030. The findings show an increase in renewable targets.
For instance, Sweden aims to further increase its renewable energy contribution in heating and cooling compared to the contribution outlined in its 2019 NECP, reaching a share of 73% by 2030, while Denmark, aiming for a 77% share, shows the largest increase in percentage points (17 pp) comparing its two NECP submissions.
However, 12 Member States still fall short of new EU requirements and many countries still project 2030 renewable shares below expected levels. The Commission has issued recommendations on the draft updated NECPs, including where relevant, on the need to increase the ambition for renewables. Member States are now finalising their NECPs, taking into account the Commission recommendations.
Heat pump use is set to rise 22% by 2030, based on 2023 NECP drafts, whereas biomass heating projections have only slightly increased, with some countries reducing targets due to air quality concerns.
These findings highlight the complex and multifaced challenge for the EU efforts to balance energy needs with air quality and decarbonisation goals.
Indeed, while progress has been made in renewable adoption and energy efficiency, the continued reliance on fossil fuels and biomass in heating systems poses ongoing air quality risks.
Background and policy relevance
The EU has adopted a comprehensive strategy to combat air pollution, combining regulatory measures, strategic initiatives and a strong emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The EU’s updated energy framework, reflected in the recent revisions of Renewable Energy Directive, the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive, along with the Net Zero Industry Act, provides a strong policy signal to support clean heating solutions. It promotes the adoption of efficient district heating and heat pumps while setting the path for the gradual phase-out of fossil fuel-based boilers.
Related links
Air pollution trends in the heating and cooling sector in the EU-27: A forward look to 2030
Air quality directive (revised)
WHO global air quality guidelines
Zero pollution action plan
Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research
Buildings and our homes are a key source of harmful pollutants.
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- EIB Group President Nadia Calviño will lead an EIB Group delegation to meet global partners and fellow Multilateral Development Banks in Washington DC
- Boosting strategic investment to reinforce peace, prosperity and partnerships is at the heart of the EIB Group agenda
- Announcements to include new investments for energy security, climate action and accelerated support for Ukraine, as well strengthening cooperation with fellow Multilateral Development Banks
An EIB Group delegation led by President Nadia Calviño will participate in the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group taking place this week in Washington DC. Vice-Presidents Ambroise Fayolle and Thomas Östros will join the EIB Group President to meet key partners in international development and finance.
Discussions will focus on building solid partnerships and deepening cooperation within the Multilateral Development Bank family.
On the margins of the Spring Meetings, the EIB Group is expected to sign agreements with partners, such as the EBRD and the World Bank Group to support sustainable development around the world.
The Group will also announce new investments with private sector partners for climate innovation in developing countries as well as financing for energy security.
Speaking ahead of the Spring Meetings, EIB President Nadia Calviño said,
“In these times of extreme volatility, we have three priorities in mind: peace, prosperity and partnership. That means support to the multilateral system, international cooperation and solid partnerships around the world, based on mutual respect and leading to win-win outcomes¨.
“Our gathering in Washington is a timely and I welcome opportunity to take stock with our partners, to coordinate our actions and work together for a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world”.
The EIB President will also take part in the International Monetary Financial Committee Plenary sessions and will join other heads of the world’s Multilateral Development Banks for discussions on increasing the collective impact of their financing around the world.
She will also take part in the 7th Ukraine Ministerial Roundtable at the World Bank, as well as updating partners on the EIB Group’s contribution.
As part of the EU response, the EIB has disbursed €2,2 billion since Russia’s invasion, with a recent agreement with the European Commission to guarantee a further €2 billion of financing under the EU‘s Ukraine Facility. Earlier this month the EIB signed three new agreements to provide the country with €300 million to restore and repair essential services and municipal infrastructure.
For more information about the EIB Group at the WBG/IMF Spring meetings visit:
https://www.eib.org/en/events/eib-at-spring-meetings
President Calvino and the EIB Delegation will also take part in a number of policy events and discussions which include:
- Europe’s moment: building bridges to shared prosperity. President Calviño in conversation with Cecilia Malmström
Date: 22nd April at 15h00
Venue: Peterson Institute for International Economics
Follow online – https://www.piie.com/events/2025/europes-moment-building-bridges-shared-prosperity
- Reconstructing Ukraine—The Path Forward
With President Nadia Calviño, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko
Date: 23rd April 9.00
Venue: Council on Foreign Relations
Follow online – https://www.cfr.org
- A Strong Europe in a Changing World
Conference and Q & A with students
Date: 23rd April at 10h45
Venue: Georgetown UniversityEvents https://global.georgetown.edu/events
For any interview requests or any media request in the margins of the Spring Meetings, please reach out to the press contacts below.
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Politics
Investment simplification: Council agrees position on the ‘Invest EU’ regulation to boost EU competitiveness
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Politics
Building capacity to combat illicit cultural heritage trafficking with the EuroMed Justice Project
From 8-10 April in Cairo, Egypt, the EuroMed Justice Project brought together experts and officials from Europe and South Partner Countries for a three-day Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) activity aimed at protecting cultural heritage and combatting its illicit trafficking.
The TAF activity, which was organised upon request from Egyptian and Cypriot authorities, brought together 35 participants from Algeria, Belgium, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Libya, Morocco, Palestine*, Switzerland and the United Kingdom to share strategies and best practices in combating the illicit trade. The activity was officially opened and attended by the Ambassador of Cyprus to Egypt, the Deputy Head of the European Delegation in Cairo and high level representatives from Egypt. The Country representatives shared case studies and success stories, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of their efforts to protect cultural heritage.
The illicit trafficking of cultural goods has become a lucrative business for organised crime. It can be used for money laundering, sanctions evasion, and terrorism financing, and comes with a devastating cost. To combat this, the TAF activity facilitated cooperation and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.
In addition to the sharing of case studies and success stories, the participants also gained insights from presentations delivered by the representative of the Eurojust Anti-Trafficking Team, as well as several international organizations (Council of Europe, UNICRI, and UNODC). Bilateral meetings were also arranged alongside the main activity.
By sharing knowledge and expertise, the gathering has set the stage for enhanced cooperation and collaboration to combat illicit cultural heritage trafficking.
The EuroMed Justice project aims to develop sustainable cooperation mechanisms for cross-border judicial cooperation in criminal matters between Member States of the European Union and the South Partner Countries. It organises TAF activities upon request of participating authorities in order to provide tailored support to activities and actions.
*This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.
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