Is an air-conditioning revolution coming to Europe?

A deadly June 2026 heatwave has turned air conditioning into a new climate and political battleground in Europe , as air conditioner sales across the continent have surged dramatically, with shipments in Spain and France jumping over 100% compared to the previous year . The EU is simultaneously phasing out HFC refrigerants used in most conventional ACs while demand surges, betting on heat pumps, district cooling, and natural refrigerants as alternatives .

Source: Ars Technica | 2026-07-10