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Articles by Eva Lopes
L’Europe fixe le cap, les Heat Heroes passent à l’action
Aucune directive ne chauffera, à elle seule, un seul logement. Tout se joue sur le terrain, dans les villes et les communes, grâce aux autorités locales et à celles et ceux que nous appelons nos Heat Heroes, nos héros et héroïnes de la chaleur. Mais de quoi ont-ils besoin pour y parvenir ?
Europe sets the rules, Heat Heroes make them work
No directive will heat a single home on its own. That work happens in cities and towns, led by local authorities and the people we call our Heat Heroes. So what does it take to get them there? Europe’s ambition to leave fossil fuel behind Over the past few years, the EU has been building clearer frameworks to move away from fossil fuels towards cleaner, more secure and more affordable energy systems.
Heating Besançon beyond gas
Across Europe, cities are rethinking the way they heat homes and buildings to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, strengthen energy resilience, and provide more sustainable solutions for residents. In France, Besançon is taking action to accelerate the transition towards a cleaner and more local energy system. Heating is one of the main sources of CO₂ emissions across the territory, which is why the metropolitan area has placed heat decarbonisation at the heart of its climate strategy.
Chauffer Besançon sans gaz : la transition vers un réseau de chaleur décarboné
Partout en Europe, les villes repensent la manière dont elles chauffent les logements et les bâtiments afin de réduire leur dépendance aux énergies fossiles, renforcer leur résilience énergétique et proposer des solutions plus durables aux habitants. En France, Besançon agit pour accélérer la transition vers un système énergétique plus propre et davantage basé sur des ressources locales.
Chauffer la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale au-delà du gaz
À travers l’Europe, les villes travaillent à remplacer le gaz fossile par des systèmes de chauffage plus propres. Cette transition rend notre chauffage indépendant des marchés extérieurs et moins vulnérable aux chocs de prix. Dans la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, cette transformation est portée par une vision à long terme visant à décarboner le chauffage et le refroidissement, tout en veillant à ne laisser personne de côté.
Heating Brussels Capital Region beyond gas
Across Europe, cities are working to replace fossil gas with cleaner heating systems. This shift makes our heating independent from external markets and less vulnerable to price shocks. In the Brussels-Capital Region, this transition is being driven by a long-term vision to decarbonise heating and cooling while ensuring that no one is left behind.
Chauffer Tallinn sans gaz: la transition vers un chauffage urbain décarboné
Tallinn, Capitale verte européenne 2023, montre comment une vision climatique à long terme peut rapidement se traduire par des avancées concrètes en matière de décarbonation du chauffage. La ville vise la neutralité climatique d’ici 2050 et un système de chauffage urbain entièrement décarboné d’ici 2030. Aujourd’hui, environ 70 % de son réseau de chauffage urbain, qui couvre les besoins de deux tiers des ménages, est alimenté par des sources renouvelables.
Heating Tallinn Beyond Gas
Tallinn, European Green Capital 2023, shows how a long-term climate vision can quickly translate into real progress on heating decarbonisation. The city aims for climate neutrality by 2050 and a fully decarbonised district heating system by 2030. Today, around 70% of heat already comes from renewable sources. Let’s dive into our conversation with our Heat Hero, Aare Vabamägi, Energy Efficiency Project Manager for the City of Tallinn.
Le chauffage européen sous pression
Pourtant, en 2026, la manière dont nous chauffons nos bâtiments se situe au croisement de certains des défis les plus pressants auxquels l’Europe est confrontée : sécurité énergétique, changement climatique, équité sociale et stabilité géopolitique. La sortie du chauffage au gaz a longtemps été présentée comme une priorité environnementale.
Europe’s Heat is Under Threat
Yet in 2026, how we heat our buildings sits at the intersection of some of Europe’s most pressing challenges: energy security, climate change, social equity, and geopolitical stability. The shift away from gas heating has long been framed as an environmental priority. But today, it has become something more urgent and tangible: a question of energy security, social protection, and economic resilience.
Urban planning and education – A key ingredient for cool cities
On 9th April, Energy Cities organised a new session of its Community of Practice on sustainable cooling, with a clear goal: to discuss the challenge of creating livable cities in a hotter climate.
Differences in Prokaryotic Community Composition Between Two Climatically Contrasting Years in an Arctic Fjord Ecosystem
1 Introduction The Arctic Ocean is one of the planet's harshest environments, characterised by extreme seasonality from polar night to 24 h of daylight and sea ice cover for large parts of the year (Meyer et al. 2017). At the same time, the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average (Rantanen et al. 2022), with the Barents Sea region, including the Svalbard archipelago, warming the fastest (Isaksen et al. 2022).
Réseaux de gaz : face à la baisse des consommations, redonner la main aux collectivités
La baisse structurelle de la consommation de gaz en France pose une question centrale pour la transition énergétique : comment adapter les réseaux pour éviter une hausse incontrôlée des coûts pour les usagers ? Alors que la consommation a déjà reculé de 27 % depuis 2019, les projections à l’horizon 2050 annoncent une diminution bien plus marquée encore, dans un contexte de déploiement accéléré des politiques de sobriété et de décarbonation.
À Ivry-sur-Seine, l'énergie locale au service d'une chaleur plus verte
La ville d’Ivry-sur-Seine, au sud-est de Paris, s’est fixé un objectif ambitieux : atteindre la neutralité pour le climat d’ici 2050. Sa stratégie repose principalement sur la décarbonation de ses réseaux de chauffage urbain. Les infrastructures, dont les bâtiments publics, les logements privés, et le parc de logements sociaux, sont les plus grandes sources d’émissions de gaz à effet de serre de la ville, représentant environ 35 % de ses émissions totales.
From local energy to cleaner heat: Ivry-sur-Seine's journey
In the French city of Ivry-sur-Seine, located just south-east of Paris, the municipality has set an ambitious goal: to reach climate neutrality by 2050. Its strategy relies heavily on the decarbonisation of district heating networks. The city’s main sources of greenhouse gas emissions stem from its infrastructure including public buildings, private housing, and social housing stock – which together account for nearly 35% of total emissions.
How is Assen turning up the heat on affordability and sustainability?
In the Dutch city of Assen, the transition to renewable heating isn’t just a technical challenge, it’s a mission that touches every citizen. The city is commited to becoming climate neutral by 2050, and its strategy combines innovative technology with social responsibility. This ambition has earned the city a place among the finalists for the European Green Leaf Award 2027.
Dans le cadre de sa stratégie de décarbonation, Besançon étend son réseau de chaleur urbain
Située dans l’Est de la France, la ville de Besançon est connue pour ses espaces verts et sa qualité de vie. Aujourd’hui, elle mise sur son réseau de chaleur par quartier créé dans les années 1960. Alimenté en grande partie par des sources d’énergies renouvelables et par la récupération de chaleur fatale, ce réseau constitue le cœur de la stratégie ambitieuse de décarbonation de Besançon, conciliant responsabilité écologique, résilience économique et inclusion.
Comment les villes européennes mènent la transition vers des systèmes de chauffage et de refroidissement décarbonés
Le chauffage et la climatisation représentent près de 50 % de la consommation énergétique totale de l’UE, dont une grande partie dépend encore des combustibles fossiles. Pour réduire cette dépendance, la Directive révisée sur l’efficacité énergétique (DEE) fixe des objectifs contraignants : les États membres doivent réduire leur consommation finale d’énergie d’au moins 11,7 % d’ici 2030 par rapport aux projections de 2020.
Besançon's decarbonisation strategy: Expanding a proven local heating network
In Eastern France, Besançon is renowned for its green spaces and high quality of life. Now, the city is building on a district heating network established in the 1960s. This network, powered largely by renewable sources and waste heat recovery, is at the core of Besançon’s ambitious decarbonisation strategy, combining ecological responsibility with economic resilience and social inclusion.
How European cities are leading the clean heat transition
Heating and cooling represent nearly 50% of the EU’s total energy consumption, much of which still relies on fossil fuels. To reduce this dependence, the revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) sets binding targets requiring Member States to reduce their final energy consumption by at least 11.7% by 2030 compared to 2020 projections.
Looking at assessment through critical incidents written by preservice teachers: a study conducted in Portugal
Skip navigation tequery Utilize este identificador para referenciar este registo: https://hdl.handle.net/1822/97034 Título: Looking at assessment through critical incidents written by preservice teachers: a study conducted in Portugal Palavras-chave: Assessment Teacher education Critical incidents Reflection Editora: Revista: Citação: Pereira, D., Fernandes, E., Lutovac, S., & Flores, M. A. (2025).
Why does the EU need a Heating and Cooling Strategy?
About Publication date July 15, 2025 Heating and cooling are at the heart of Europe’s energy use—and its climate challenges. With cities driving the transition on the ground, the upcoming EU Heating and Cooling Strategy could be a turning point. Our team met with Delia Villagrasa, Director of the Cool heating Coalition. We sat down together to discuss -the soon to be published- EU Heating and Cooling Strategy.
What's EUp: The latest news on heating and cooling
Local authorities are key players of the heating and cooling (H&C) transition. To better understand their needs, Energy Cities recently surveyed its members on their knowledge, priorities, and challenges around H&C in the EU context. The responses highlight both the ambition and the hurdles cities face—and point to a clear call for support, tools, and policy alignment.
How are cities responding to the challenge of fossil-free cooling and rising heat?
Imagine it’s a sweltering summer afternoon. You turn on the news and hear that yet another city has opened emergency cooling centers, offering residents a temporary escape from the suffocating heat. There is talk of water restrictions, schools adjusting their hours to protect students, and warnings issued to the elderly and vulnerable, urging them to stay indoors—not just to avoid the scorching temperatures, but also to escape the thick, polluted air.
Vers des villes 100% renouvelables : la collaboration en action à Besançon
Alors que l’Union Européenne vise la neutralité climatique d’ici 2050, les villes jouent un rôle central dans la réorganisation et la mise en œuvre des systèmes énergétiques locaux. Mais elles ne peuvent pas y parvenir seules. Cette transition nécessite une collaboration étroite entre les municipalités, les acteurs locaux, les autorités nationales et les citoyens afin d’assurer une transition énergétique juste et inclusive, bénéfique pour tous.
What's EUp in Heating and Cooling? Share your needs!
2025 has been rich in EU policy initiatives. Within its first 100 days, the European Commission released the Competitiveness Compass, outlining the upcoming policy work. It is now confirmed that a Heating and Cooling Strategy will be published next year. But what does it mean for local authorities? How does it help with your local heating and cooling planning? As local authorities work to decarbonise their heating and cooling systems, staying informed about the latest EU policies is essential.
Collaborating for 100% renewable cities
In recent years, cities have taken significant steps to become more resilient, particularly in the way they are transforming their energy use. This transition to renewable energy is not only essential for achieving climate neutrality but also for improving air quality, strengthening local economies, and enhancing residents’ well-being.
Örebro's Tamarinden neighbourhood reshapes energy laws in Sweden
In a world where the energy transition is crucial, Örebro in Sweden is leading the way with Tamarinden – an innovative neighbourhood. Designed to be nearly self-sufficient in energy, Tamarinden is transforming how energy is generated, shared, and used.
How cities are decarbonising their heating systems for healthier communities
The heating and cooling sector in Europe significantly contributes to CO2 emissions, air pollution and energy insecurity, primarily because over 70% of buildings’ heat today relies on fossil fuels. This dependency undermines public health and energy independence, while hindering climate goals. Cities and towns have the potential to massively shift to cleaner and sustainable heating, to reduce emissions, protect their city’s air quality and ensure more stable energy prices for citizens.
Decarbonising cities for a sustainable Europe
Did you know that heating and cooling account 50% of Europe’s energy demand and 80% of household energy consumption? Energy Cities’ Annual Forum, held in Valencia at end of June, was a great opportunity to delve into heating and cooling decarbonisation strategies and challenges with partners, members and cities.
Europe's leading climate cities need technological clarity
“From the Viennese perspective, achieving the energy revolution is crucial for achieving climate neutrality. But this is incredibly hard to do. It’s a very long process, which requires a lot of patience. Just think about the massive effort that is needed to exchange hundreds of 1000s of gas boilers for climate friendly alternatives, or what it takes to carry out thermal rehabilitation for all our buildings.
How the Munich's Energy Transition is becoming the Everything Transition
The notion of an isolated electricity, or even energy, transition in urban environments is obsolete. The interconnectivity of various issues, including mobility, waste management, housing, food, climate adaptation, biodiversity and more means that these issues cannot be tackled one at a time. The easiest way to explain this is for you to look at an urban street outside your home or workplace.
Exploring Isaura: Unveiling the path to a fossil-free future
Isaura, a city imagined by Italo Calvino, is a place where the hidden secrets of an underground lake reveal how to disconnect cities from fossil fuels. The invisible landscape beneath the city’s surface is mirrored by its visible urban landscape. In this city, everything is powered by the hidden underground lake. Isaura serves as a metaphorical backdrop for modern cities seeking to free themselves from dependence on fossil fuels.
Unlocking the potential of energy districts and building renovation - Energy Cities
You want to reduce your municipality’s energy needs? You are looking to improve energy efficiency of the building stock? You want to gain actionable knowledge to overcome obstacles you are facing in your own territories? In the inspiring city of Modena, our next annual event is your chance to find out more about these challenging topics with city representatives and experts.
Breaking the silos between municipal departments to foster transversal cooperation for climate action
Cooperation within local governments is essential to effectively tackle the complex and multifaceted challenge that is climate change. This is why many municipalities are implementing transversal initiatives that foster collaboration across various departments and services, aimed at implementing the green transition at local level.
Cultivating local transformations and a just transition - Energy Cities
You’ve heard about our exciting forum taking place in Modena this year, but are you curious to know more about what you will hear from Mayors attending the Conference? Well, here’s a sneak peek of what to expect at the plenary session on Thursday, October 19th.
Uncovering the hidden potentials of cities: Let’s meet at the Grafting Cities Conference in Modena - Energy Cities
This year with our annual forum, we intent to bring you on a journey. Hosted by the city of Modena and co-organised with the Energy and Sustainable Development Agency – AESS and our long-standing partner, Climate Alliance, our Forum is the chance not only to discover the city of Modena (city tours and balsamic vinegar tasting guaranteed!), but also to explore the cities that we imagine and we want to build together.
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