Supporting Sustainable Heating in Lithuania
September 29, 2025
EU Accelerates the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuel Heating
November 17, 2025
On October 2025, the European Commission officially dropped its Heat Pump Action Plan, a key initiative which had been announced back in 2023. The Heat Pump Action Plan targeted the extension of the use of heat pumps in Europe. This initiative was part of the larger European Green Deal and REPowerEU goals, aiming to fewer carbon emissions, enhanced energy independence, and less reliance on imported gas, as heat pumps use electricity instead of fossil fuels and they are considered an efficient and sustainable alternative.
What the Plan Was About
When it was first introduced, the Heat Pump Action Plan focused on four main goals:
- partnership between the Commission, EU countries and the sector (including R&I),
- communication to all interest groups & a skills partnership for rolling out heat pumps,
- legislation (eco-design & energy labelling), and
- accessible financing.
In 2023, the European Commission gathered feedback from the public, industry groups, and civil society and the plan gained support from the majority of the EU Member States.
The Disruption
Despite the wide support, the Commission recently formally announced the discontinuation of the plan and no detailed reason was given. After the decision for discontinuing the Heat Pump Action Plan was announced, the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), expressed strong disappointment. They fear that without clear policies and stable support, investment and innovation could slow down, making it harder for Europe to meet its climate goals.
Heat Pumps’ Future in Europe
Even though the official Action Plan is gone, the discussion isn’t over. The European Commission continues to work with industry through the Heat Pump Accelerator Platform, and parts of the plan may reappear in future strategies, such as the Heating and Cooling Strategy or the Electrification Action Plan.
For now, many in the energy community hope the EU will keep the momentum and ensure that heat pumps remain a cornerstone of Europe’s clean energy future.
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