Municipalities with more than 45,000 inhabitants are required by the Energy Efficiency Directive to develop Heating and Cooling (H&C) plans. However, many EU municipalities lack the resources to develop these plans and require external support. Often cities rely on a decentralised, ageing systems, inefficient building stock, outdated equipment, and slow uptake of more efficient technologies.

The ESCALATE and Plan4Cold projects aim to speed up Europe’s shift to clean renewable energy by helping cities across the EU plan for more energy efficient heating and cooling.

ESCALATE responds to this challenge by offering a unified methodology and comprehensive training program to build the capacity of regional energy agencies. These agencies will then empower LRAs across Europe to design and implement high-quality, tailored H&C plans that align with EU climate goals.

Plan4COLD promotes an integrated approach combining urban planning, building renovation, and stakeholder and citizen engagement to support efficient, renewable-based heating and cooling solutions. Its methodology helps build capacity among public and private actors, supports plan development in several Southern European cities, and will inform policy recommendations while encouraging wider uptake.