Can Europe Tackle Extreme Weather Amid Soaring AC Demands?
Is the world getting hotter?
"Since systematic scientific assessments began in the 1970s, the influence of human activity on the warming of the climate system has evolved from theory to established fact," says the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
When it comes to the rising temperature and humidity, there is only one solution: air conditioning (AC).
The US Energy Information Administration states that almost 90% of US households use AC (2020). However, if you compare this to Europe and the UK, the Building Service Research and Intelligence Association (BSRIA) predicts that roughly 5% of UK homes currently have cooling solutions (2017 and 2020).
Europe’s warming climate
Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The EEA also states that climate risks are threatening:
- Energy security
- Food security
- Ecosystems
- Infrastructure
- Water resources
- Financial stability
- Human and animal health
Extreme weather events like heatwaves, drought, wildfires and flooding are set to worsen in Europe even under “optimistic global warming scenarios” states the EAA.
“Our new analysis shows that Europe faces urgent climate risks that are growing faster than our societal preparedness,” notes Leena Ylä-Mononen, EEA Executive Director.
“To ensure the resilience of our societies, European and national policymakers must act now to reduce climate risks both by rapid emission cuts and by strong adaptation policies and actions.
In the UK, Rightmove’s data shows that:
- Searches for homes for sale with AC have more than tripled in a year (+234%)
- Searches for homes available to rent with AC are also up 74% compared with the same time in 2021
- On 19 July, the hottest day on record to date, searches for homes to buy with AC nearly quadrupled (+280%) and nearly tripled in the rental market (+180%) compared to 2021.
According to the IPCC, 3.6 billion people are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including extreme weather.
The Global Commission on Adaptation estimates that investing US$1.8tn in early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, water resource management and other mitigation measures could yield US$7.1tn in avoided costs and social and environmental gains.
UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2023 warns that adaptation costs for developing countries could reach US$387bn annually by 2030, yet financing in 2022 was only US$32.4bn.
In 2023, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said: “Storms, fires, floods, drought and extreme temperatures are becoming more frequent and more ferocious, and they’re on course to get far worse.”
“Lives and livelihoods are being lost and destroyed, with the vulnerable suffering the most.
“Adaptation plans must be transformed into investment plans, with new collaborative models that bring together governments, funders, development partners and civil society.”
AC across the pond
The American climate is used to experiencing more extreme weather than the UK and Europe.
Due to the differences in climate, this means that buildings, including homes, are constructed in a way that helps them adapt to the weather and seasons.
in the United States 88% of homes have AC and 66% have central systems, according to the US Department of Energy (USDE).
The USDE also states that roughly 12% of the electricity in US households annually - with costs varying by location - adds up to a cost of around US$29bn for homeowners.
Because of its heavy use in the US, AC contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions, releasing more than 100 million tonnes annually, says the USDE.
Which companies are cooling?
AC is highly electricity-intensive and most European nations lack the grid infrastructure to support such a large-scale shift.
National grids are already straining to meet the resilience upgrades needed for modern consumption, while also accommodating the surge of clean energy sources seeking connection.
As climate needs evolve, technology is also advancing in other areas.
For over a century, the UK Met Office’s Shipping Forecast has been a lifeline for those at sea and it is now being enhanced with AI, advanced satellite data and real-time visual formats.
"We are investing in next-generation capabilities such as advanced satellite data, innovative AI models and better ways to share vital safety information with people at sea,” says James Shapland, Head of Regulated Transport Services at the Met Office.
AI platforms like Google’s GraphCast, ECMWF’s AIFS and Microsoft’s Aurora are already surpassing traditional forecasting methods.
Professor Kirstine Dale, Chief AI Officer at the Met Office, added: "I think we'll have traditional models running alongside AI models so that we are drawing on their combined strengths to enable hyper-localised accurate forecasts, delivered fast, when you need them."
In the residential sector, Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions reports that 81% of installed AC units in 10 European countries are now used either solely for heating or for both heating and cooling, highlighting the growing role of all-season comfort systems.
Panasonic’s advanced offerings, including its Aquarea air-to-water heat pumps, deliver year-round efficiency and adaptability for homes and workplaces alike.
Similarly, LG AC Technologies provides a wide range of high-quality residential and commercial HVAC systems, from ducted and duct-free indoor units to VRF, HVRF and Dedicated Outdoor Air System solutions, enabling flexible, efficient climate control across diverse building types.
Hitachi Energy offers complete pure water cooling systems for industrial and power transmission applications.
These energy-efficient, reliable solutions use water as the cooling medium and can be tailored to use tap, glycol or pure water depending on the application.
With extreme weather events becoming more common, will sustainable adaptations come in to play quick enough?
