Joint Heating Commission calls on EU Commissioners Jørgensen and Hoekstra to decouple the upcoming Heating and Cooling Strategy from the Electrification Plan
The Joint Heating Commission, an informal working group composed of four European associations representing the liquid heating fuel supply chain - ECFD, Eurofuel, FuelsEurope, and UPEI - welcomes the European Commission’s intention to present a Heating and Cooling Strategy in early 2026.
Our members include technology providers, fuel producers, and energy distributors operating in both urban and rural heating markets across Europe. Together, they deliver affordable heating solutions and firmly believe that renewable and low-carbon liquid fuels remain a crucial component of Europe’s heating and cooling transition.
Against this backdrop, we read with concern in the Commission Work Programme that the Heating and Cooling Strategy, previously expected to be a standalone initiative, will instead be presented as part of the upcoming Electrification Action Plan. While electrification is significant for decarbonising heating, we want to emphasise that a narrow focus on it risks overlooking the benefits of renewable fuels, which can provide immediate and cost-effective carbon reductions for millions of households and businesses across Europe.
We therefore wish to underline that a technology-neutral approach is essential, and that renewable liquid fuels can effectively complement electrification while offering practical, low-carbon solutions today, particularly in areas where electrification may be challenging or expensive.
In this context, we would greatly appreciate your reconsideration of this approach and encourage ensuring that the Heating and Cooling Strategy and the Electrification Action Plan are treated as distinct initiatives. We urge policymakers to maintain a balanced perspective that recognises all viable pathways to decarbonising heating.
Our Joint Heating Commission is committed to cooperating with the EU institutions to support policies that promote a sustainable, reliable, and affordable heating sector.
