‘D4.1 Report: Regional Heating & Cooling Policy Mapping and Multi-Level Governance structures’, part of the LIFE ESCALATE project, analyses regional heating and cooling (H&C) policies and multi-level governance structures across eight European countries, offering a valuable framework for the construction sector. It aims to support the transition towards sustainable and efficient H&C systems, which are essential for the planning and renovation of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

The document maps policies, key actors, and relationships between levels of government, highlighting the influence of local authorities, energy agencies, developers, and construction companies. It emphasises the need to integrate H&C decisions into construction and renovation projects, taking into account energy efficiency, renewable sources, and compliance with European climate targets.

Countries such as Austria and Germany are aligning spatial planning with energy criteria, while others, like Italy and France, are advancing in intergovernmental coordination to facilitate the implementation of measures in the building stock.

In addition, the report outlines existing governance structures and offers recommendations to strengthen collaboration across government levels. It suggests the creation of national and local working groups to enable continuous feedback and the integration of local experiences into national policies. Funding opportunities are also addressed, and the importance of coherent and coordinated planning is underlined as key to achieving the EU’s climate goals.

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