Air Conditioning Gains Ground Over Climate Action in Europe
A recent survey by YouGov across six major European countries – France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom – shows that when forced to choose, more people prefer promoting air conditioning over prioritizing carbon emission reductions. The poll, conducted in mid-July in continental countries and early August in the UK, reflects the impact of four extreme heatwaves that have caused thousands of deaths across the continent.
Between 30% and 52% of respondents in the six countries said they feared for their health at temperatures near or above 40°C. Additionally, a significant share – ranging from 27% in Spain to 41% in France and 53% in Germany – admitted they could not keep their homes cool enough.
Strong Support for Widespread AC Installation
The study reveals overwhelming backing for measures that make cooling systems more accessible:
- 61% to 73% support making air conditioning standard in all new homes.
- 65% to 75% back making it easier to install without needing permission from local councils or landlords.
- 52% to 66% support government subsidies for homeowners to install it.
In every country except Italy, a significant majority (between 41% and 48%) believes that allowing and encouraging more air conditioning to reduce heatwave damage should take priority over cutting CO2 emissions. Only 20% to 33% think the opposite.
Prevalence and Attitudes
Air conditioning is far less common in Europe than in the United States, where 93% of households have a central or portable system. In Europe, adoption rates are 63% in Italy, 58% in Spain, 30% in France, 23% in Poland, 16% in Germany, and just 11% in the UK.
Attitudes toward air conditioning are mostly positive (46% to 60%) or neutral (31% to 39%). France stands out with 20% holding hostile views, and left-leaning voters there are notably more negative than in other countries.
Cost Is the Main Barrier
Between 51% and 75% of respondents in each country cited cost as the primary obstacle to installing air conditioning. Climate impact was far less important, with percentages between 6% and 17%, except in France (27%).
However, 35% to 46% believe that most problems related to staying cool during heatwaves could be solved without air conditioning. In fact, more people (27% to 42%) think the government should prioritize other cooling methods – such as external shutters, insulation, and reflective roofs – over air conditioning (12% to 20%).
Real Impact on Comfort
The survey shows that air conditioning is effective: 79% to 85% of those who have it managed to keep indoor temperatures comfortable during recent heatwaves, compared to only 35% to 47% among those without it. Nevertheless, 14% to 17% of owners in Italy, France, and Spain felt they couldn't use it as much as needed due to cost, and 28% to 38% said they used it often but had to cut back on other expenses.
A New Front in Cultural Wars
Air conditioning has become a new battleground in Europe's cultural wars. Traditional parties are accused of blocking its widespread use for “ideological” green reasons, while far-right parties, opposed to fighting climate change, push it as essential. American right-wing commentators argue that low adoption in Europe demonstrates mismanagement and overregulation. European experts support air conditioning for at-risk individuals, but many prefer long-term solutions like more shade and better insulation over mechanical cooling.
Scientists have long warned that human-caused global warming is making extreme weather events more frequent and intense, intensifying heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and violent storms.
The poll also reveals that few Europeans (12% to 24%) believe more air conditioning would make people less committed to fighting climate change, and those with AC show no less concern for the climate than those without it.
Source: The Guardian