Strategic H&C planning success factors

The planning of municipalities is of great importance, as it determines today how we can live sustainably in the future. Heating and cooling (H&C) is an important issue in this context, as it accounts for about half of the total energy demand in Europe, with about 70 % still dependent on fossil fuels (for 2015). Achieving climate neutrality in 2050, therefore, requires a rapid and significant change in the H&C sector. In this respect, strategic H&C planning has proven to be an effective tool to develop measures at the local level and to drive decarbonisation of the H&C sector faster and more efficiently.
This report explores success factors for strategic H&C planning, which will guide the project's advisory services. Furthermore, the findings of this paper can help stakeholders identify and overcome obstacles in advance and so develop successful H&C plans. Policymakers can use the results to develop measures for cities that underpin successful strategic H&C planning.