The global transition to cleaner energy in buildings is accelerating, driven by the urgency of climate change and fluctuating fossil fuel prices, making it a critical next frontier in climate action. Buildings are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through heating, and there is a growing push, particularly in Europe and North America, to phase out natural gas, oil, and coal heating systems in favor of heat pumps and other electric-powered alternatives. This “heat transition” faces significant hurdles, including high initial costs for retrofitting existing structures, a shortage of skilled labor to install new technologies, and the need for massive upgrades to electricity grids to handle increased demand; despite these challenges, countries and cities are implementing ambitious mandates and offering incentives to spur this shift, betting on technology and policy to fundamentally change how homes and businesses are warmed.

Source: Reuters.com