Local Heat Planning – Achieving the heat transition in BSR municipalities

The heating and cooling sector is an important lever on the path to climate neutrality. Municipalities are an important driver in the planning and construction of a heating infrastructure that does not lead into a further accelerated climate change. Against this background, it is of utmost relevance and was even urgent that the EU has adopted new regulations and increased ambitions in fall 2023 with the revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), targeting the heating and cooling sector not only on national, but also on local level. As of now, all Member States are obligated to ensure that every municipality with more than 45,000 inhabitants is developing a local heat plan (Article 25.6). The transnational challenge that occurs, isthat BSR municipalities and regions are often insufficiently equipped for this task. Related suitable communication schemes on the Directive and its implications for Europe's municipalities and