Mercury Rising: Policymakers, Scientists and Artists Unite in Brussels to Call for Climate-Ready Cooling
BRUSSELS — Policymakers, scientists, artists, and activists gathered in Brussels for a day of action focused on sustainable, low-carbon cooling, hosted by the Cool Heating Coalition
(CHC), aligned organizations and in partnership with the Commune of Ixelles. The event took place around World Refrigeration Day and highlighted the urgent need for systemic change in how Europe plans for and responds to rising temperatures and deadly heatwaves.
“Cooling is now the fastest-growing end-use for electricity, and increasingly frequent heatwaves already cause around 48,000 deaths annually in Europe,” said Dario Tamburrano, member of the European Parliament, who hosted a morning session inside the Parliament with CHC members, scientists, and industry representatives. “As temperatures rise, summer energy poverty will become a major challenge. Both public health and business productivity are impacted by heatwaves. Policymakers must continue to prioritise energy efficiency, ramp up buildings renovation rate, and accelerate the rollout of heat pumps. Cooling may soon overtake heating in importance.”
Delia Villagrasa, director of the Cool Heating Coalition, emphasised the climate impact of today’s cooling technologies. “Cooling is a major driver for the increase in electricity demand around the world. This puts pressure on electricity grids, which are often still being powered by fossil fuels. Moreover, many air conditioning devices use HFCs — potent greenhouse gases. To ensure that the rising cooling demand is met sustainably, we are calling for passive cooling solutions, green building design, district cooling networks, and natural refrigerants to become pillars of Europe’s climate adaptation strategy.”
Cities are particularly vulnerable due to the urban heat island effect. In Brussels, nighttime temperatures can remain up to 10° C higher in the city centre than in surrounding areas. Walter Derieuw, spokesperson for the Brussels Fire Brigade, warned: “Extreme summer heat is now a regular reality. For us, that means more emergency responses: fires, heat-related illnesses, and vulnerable populations in distress. Cities must plan now for sustainable urban cooling to protect lives and reduce pressure on emergency services.”
Dr. Chris Smith, senior researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, added: “Even if strong action is taken now to reduce emissions, average and extreme temperatures, and the projected number of heatwaves in Belgium, will continue to increase over the next few decades. Therefore, planning for adaptation to reduce the human impact of forthcoming climate change, including sustainable cooling but also incorporating measures to tackle urban heat, is essential.”
Following the policy session, a public event, ‘The Big Chill’ at Square de Meeûs provided the public with information on low-carbon cooling and interactive activities around “cool skills,” the 2025 theme of World Refrigeration Day. Artistic performances curated by Jana Roos, a Ghent-based artist and designer, added an emotional and visual dimension to the day. Her Ice Adaptability series, inspired by the ephemeral beauty of ice, invited the public to reflect on nature’s fragility in a warming world. “Ice is grand and yet fleeting,” said Roos. “Its disappearance reminds us to act together, to cherish the fragile balance we rely on.”