Why A lot of Europe Nonetheless Rejects Air Conditioning—At the same time as Heatwaves Push Temperatures Previous 44°C
5 min learnJun 24, 2026 07:23 PM IST
As Western Europe endures certainly one of its most intense heatwaves in years, with temperatures crossing 40 levels Celsius and deaths mounting throughout a number of nations, a well-known query has resurfaced: why is air con nonetheless comparatively unusual throughout a lot of Europe? Consultants say the reply lies in a mixture of local weather, structure, vitality coverage and cultural attitudes that developed lengthy earlier than excessive warmth turned a daily summer time menace.
Constructed for chilly, not warmth
Europe’s housing inventory was largely designed to retain heat reasonably than shed it. CNN reported that many buildings have been constructed many years and even centuries in the past, with thick partitions, smaller home windows and insulation aimed toward dealing with chilly winters. Consequently, a lot of the continent lacks the infrastructure wanted for widespread air-conditioning methods, leaving properties susceptible throughout extended heatwaves.
A migrant rests on a mattress close to tents at a makeshift camp arrange below an elevated railway of a Paris metro line close to the Stalingrad subway station, as temperatures rise in paris throughout a heatwave affecting a big a part of France, June 24, 2026. (REUTERS)
The report added that whereas air con is customary in lots of elements of america, possession charges stay considerably decrease throughout Europe. In nations akin to Germany and the UK, solely a small share of households have air-conditioning items, reflecting a historic perception that summers have been usually manageable with out mechanical cooling.
Vitality prices and environmental issues
European governments and shoppers have lengthy seen air con with warning due to its excessive vitality consumption and potential environmental impression. Policymakers have as an alternative promoted passive cooling measures, together with improved constructing design, exterior shutters, air flow methods and concrete greening initiatives.
CNN famous that issues over electrical energy demand have turn out to be significantly related as Europe seeks to scale back emissions and transition away from fossil fuels. Critics of widespread air-conditioning adoption argue that larger reliance on cooling methods might enhance stress on already strained energy grids during times of maximum warmth.
54
Departments on crimson alert — about half of France
48
Drowning deaths since 18 June, primarily younger folks
43.3°C
Hottest native studying, Châteaumeillant (109.9°F)
France’s hottest day ever
A nationwide file — and a rustic with out air-conditioning
France’s nationwide thermal indicator — a median throughout 30 climate stations — hit 29.8°C on 23 June, the very best since data started in 1947. Greater than 90% of the inhabitants is uncovered to excessive warmth, with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre chopping their opening hours. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, after a disaster assembly, mentioned the drowning victims have been primarily younger folks; two younger kids additionally died from warmth in a automobile.
Faculties
Tons of closed or on diminished timetables.
Trains
Companies diminished to keep away from warmth injury to strains.
Energy
As much as 106,000 purchasers misplaced electrical energy; 68,000 households hit in Finistère.
Met Workplace: June file “very seemingly” to fall
The UK’s Met Workplace issued a uncommon crimson excessive warmth warning for Wednesday and Thursday, saying the nation’s highest June temperature on file could be very prone to be damaged. Tons of of British colleges deliberate to shut or end early, and plenty of practice companies have been reduce. Situations are anticipated to ease by Friday.
37°C
Anticipated in southern England (98.6°F)
35°C
As much as this in south-east Wales (95°F)
39°C
Forecast peak, London & south (102.2°F)
Spain and Italy elevate their highest alerts
Spain’s climate service AEMET issued crimson alerts as temperatures pushed towards 44°C, with even the usually temperate northern coast hitting 40°C. Italy’s well being ministry declared a crimson heatwave alert in 16 cities, together with Milan and Rome. The warmth is forecast to unfold eastward into Poland, Croatia and Hungary within the coming days.
44°C
Southern Andalusia, Spain — AEMET crimson alert (111°F)
40°C
Cantabria & Basque Nation, Spain (104°F)
16
Italian cities on crimson alert, together with Milan & Rome
Hottest day since 1947; native highs to 43.3°C
As much as 39°C — June all-time file in danger
As much as 44°C in Andalusia — the area’s highest
Crimson alert in 16 cities, together with Milan & Rome
One warmth dome, 4 data
The identical trapped mass of scorching air is being measured in opposition to 4 totally different nationwide benchmarks — a single climate system stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean, with the warmth set to push additional east this week.
The shadow of August 2003
This occasion is being in comparison with August 2003, when the very best temperatures in over half a century precipitated an estimated 15,000 deaths in France — a lot of them older folks in flats and retirement properties with out air-conditioning. France launched its heat-watch warning system within the aftermath.
15,000
Estimated deaths in France, August 2003
50+ yrs
Highest temperatures in over half a century
“…some that would surpass all earlier data, whatever the time of yr.”
— Météo-France
2×
Quicker warming than the worldwide common for the reason that Nineteen Eighties
200,000+
Warmth-related deaths in Europe over 4 years — most preventable
2024
Hottest yr on file, in Europe and globally
Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent
Temperatures right here have risen about twice as quick as the worldwide common for the reason that Nineteen Eighties, in response to the EU’s Copernicus Local weather Change Service. In 2024 the continent logged its second-highest variety of “warmth stress” days, and UN projections say the subsequent 5 years are prone to shatter extra data. The WHO’s Europe workplace says a lot of the area’s warmth deaths have been preventable.
Sources: Related Press · AFP · Météo-France · UK Met Workplace · AEMET (Spain) · Copernicus Local weather Change Service · WHO Europe
Figures present as of 24 June 2026
What number of Europeans have air con?
In response to Worldwide Vitality Company estimates, air-conditioning possession stays far beneath US ranges. In nations akin to Germany and the UK, family penetration continues to be within the single digits, in contrast with widespread adoption throughout a lot of america.
Antonio Herrera, 52, who’s disabled, sits on an amphibious chair as he’s helped by lifeguards into the Mediterranean sea, as temperatures rise, throughout a heatwave affecting a big a part of Spain, on Barceloneta seaside, in Barcelona, Spain, June 23, 2026. (REUTERS)
Heatwave exposes rising vulnerability
The talk has intensified as Western Europe experiences certainly one of its most extreme heatwaves in recent times. In response to Reuters, France recorded its hottest day since data started practically 80 years in the past, with temperatures reaching 44.3 levels Celsius within the southwestern city of Pissos. Authorities have been working to revive energy to 1000’s of properties in Brittany following heat-related disruptions.
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Reuters reported that Italy’s Well being Ministry positioned 16 cities, together with Rome, Milan and Florence, below its highest warmth alert, whereas Britain issued solely the second extreme-heat warning in its historical past as temperatures approached file ranges. Tons of of colleges closed or shortened working hours due to the warmth.
Not less than 40 folks have drowned in France whereas swimming in unsupervised areas to hunt reduction from a heatwave gripping the nation and different elements of Europe.
Forecasters warn that the intense warmth is prone to persist by means of the week.Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler studies. pic.twitter.com/wqJGHrdoTc
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 23, 2026
Loss of life toll and infrastructure pressure
The human value of the heatwave continues to mount. In response to Reuters, a minimum of 48 folks in France died in drowning incidents as they sought reduction from the warmth, whereas two younger kids died after being left in a scorching car. In Spain, two aged folks died from heatstroke after temperatures exceeded 40 levels Celsius.
Reuters reported that the intense climate has additionally disrupted every day life throughout the continent. Practice operators in Britain imposed pace restrictions, electrical energy networks got here below stress, and farmers in France shifted grain harvesting to nighttime hours to scale back dangers to staff and crops.
Local weather change driving extra excessive summers
The Reuters report mentioned meteorologists attribute the present situations to a uncommon “Omega block” climate sample that traps scorching air over giant areas for prolonged intervals. The phenomenon has pushed temperatures as a lot as 18 levels Celsius above seasonal norms in some areas.
Europe is warming at greater than twice the worldwide common, in response to the World Meteorological Organisation, cited by Reuters. CNN reported that local weather scientists more and more view excessive warmth as a defining problem for the continent, elevating questions on whether or not Europe’s conventional resistance to air con may be sustained as summers turn out to be hotter, longer and extra harmful.
(With inputs from businesses)
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