The European Environmental Agency (EEA) has released a briefing titled "Cooling buildings sustainably in Europe: exploring the links between climate change mitigation and adaptation, and their social impacts."

The briefing addresses the increased demand for cooling in buildings due to rising temperatures, urbanization, heat waves and an ageing population in all European countries.

In particular, vulnerable groups, especially the elderly and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, are at the highest risk: heatwave events have caused 77,000 to 129,000 deaths in 32 EEA member countries between 1980 and 2020. Prioritizing vulnerable groups in renovations can mitigate health impacts, reduce inequalities, and alleviate summer energy poverty.

Another aspect to be considered is the uncontrolled use of inefficient active cooling systems, like air conditioning, will lead to negative social and environmental consequences and increased energy consumption. Deep energy renovations can enhance resilience, reduce cooling energy needs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

The briefing proposes key elements of a sustainable cooling strategy, including tailoring solutions to local contexts, promoting urban cooling measures, investing in passive techniques, using active systems efficiently and equitably, and developing low-energy cooling systems for future climates. Opportunities within the EU policy landscape, such as the renovation wave and climate adaptation strategies, provide a chance to implement sustainable cooling solutions, promote social justice, and enhance resilience.