European Commission Refuses to Take Stance on Air Conditioning During Heat Waves

The European Commission has declined to take a position on the use of air conditioning during record heat waves, despite heated political debate over the issue in several European countries. The Commission argues that Brussels should not dictate to citizens whether they should use air conditioners.

The European Commission announced that it has no intention of taking an official position on whether European citizens should use air conditioning during record heat waves. According to the Commission, such decisions fall outside Brussels' remit.

The question has become topical, as the use of air conditioning has become the object of sharp political dispute in several European countries. On one hand, health experts emphasize the deadly nature of heat waves and the role of air conditioning in improving survival rates; on the other, environmentalists point to the significant energy consumption and carbon footprint of air conditioning systems.

The Commission stressed that while the issue is socially important, such decisions are the responsibility of member states and individuals themselves. Brussels does not wish to intervene in people's daily lives through prescriptive measures.