As Europe grapples with intense heat waves with temperatures crossing 40 degrees, one question still puzzles tourists coming from warmer parts of the world – why are so many homes, schools and even hospitals still without air conditioning?A report from the Wall Street Journal traces the continent’s long-standing dislike of ACs, tracing everything from climate goals and heritage protection to noise complaints and urban planning.This question has gained urgency as the latest heatwave has pushed European infrastructure to its limits. Roads have melted, tram tracks have buckled, train services have been disrupted, electricity grids have been strained and hospitals are struggling to cope, while record-breaking temperatures have soared in many countries. Yet, despite the worsening climate, Europe’s relationship with air conditioning remains very complex.
‘Don’t want to look like America’
For many European planners, rows of outdoor AC units are seen as visually bland and inconsistent with historic neighborhoods.The Wall Street Journal quoted Audrey Pulver, deputy mayor of Paris, as saying, “The goal is not to be like some Italian, Brazilian or American cities, where there are entire queues outside buildings, entire walls of conveyors, making an unbearable racket, spewing heat and poisonous smoke.”In cities such as Paris, visible air conditioning units may be rejected if they spoil the iconic limestone facades of Haussmann-era buildings.
People hide from the sun under umbrellas as they walk through St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican (AP)
‘too noisy’
In some parts of Europe, installing an air conditioner is not solely a homeowner’s decision.Apartment residents may need approval from neighbours, while local authorities may also intervene over planning rules, energy targets or noise concerns.According to the report, French law allows building associations to object if an AC unit exceeds strict noise limits, which is roughly equivalent to the sound of a light breeze. Lawyer Christophe Sanson, who specializes in noise disputes, told the newspaper that his company now handles more than 100 cases involving air conditioning systems.“It’s a sound that can penetrate concrete, which is extremely powerful and can be very disturbing,” he said.Luca Funaro, 32, who suffers from a rare genetic disease, has spent the past two years trying to get permission to install an air conditioning unit in the courtyard of his apartment building in the Marais district of Paris. Their neighbors have repeatedly objected, saying the unit would be too noisy.
climate concerns
Europe has long viewed air conditioners as energy-intensive machines that could undermine its climate ambitions.Instead officials have promoted alternatives such as better insulation, natural ventilation, shutters, tree cover and urban greenery.However, the report notes that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change considers air conditioning to be a highly effective way to protect people during extreme heat, while measures such as urban greening and mechanical ventilation are less effective during prolonged heat waves.Radhika Khosla, a climate scientist at the University of Oxford, said countries should combine better building design with air conditioning rather than relying solely on air conditioning.“You want to use it for what’s really needed, not make it your go-to solution,” he said.Apart from this, French Climate Minister Monque Barbut said that ACs cannot be installed everywhere.“I’m horrified by people who say, ‘We just have to put air conditioning everywhere. Do you think this will prevent forest fires? Do you think this will prevent the crop from dying?” Barbut said.
A man wipes sweat from his face on a train on a summer day in London (AP)
Europe wasn’t built for 40 degrees
Much of Europe’s infrastructure was designed for cold climates, when temperatures above 40 °C were rare.The report said only about 25% of homes in France and about 5% of homes in the United Kingdom have air conditioning, while about 56% of homes in Italy have air conditioning.During the latest heat wave, thousands of schools closed, businesses reduced operations and rail services were disrupted. Economists at ING said the conditions “revived memories of the lockdown imposed due to the pandemic.”The temperature in Paris also crossed 40 degrees Celsius last week for only the fourth time since official records began in the 19th century.Pulver said, “We have always worked on the assumption that this scenario could start in 2030… Now we realize that we are already there.”
AC has become the center of political attraction
As temperatures continue to rise, air conditioning has become an unlikely political issue.Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has called for the expansion of AC systems across the country, saying, “These heat waves kill; we must implement a major air conditioning plan!”Despite resistance, attitudes are beginning to change. The report notes that portable AC units are becoming increasingly common in England, while London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently argued that schools, hospitals and offices should be equipped with cooling systems.