Brussels, 24 June 2026: Yesterday, the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) held its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium yesterday at the Stanhope Hotel in Brussels, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders for a full day of strategic discussions on the future of heating and cooling in Europe.
Governance, strategic priorities and sector outlook at the AGM
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) provided an important opportunity for EPEE members to reflect on the association’s achievements over the past year, review key policy developments and discuss the strategic priorities that will shape the sector in the years ahead.
The AGM included governance-related decisions, financial updates and Steering Committee elections, alongside discussions on major regulatory developments, market trends and the evolving role of heating and cooling technologies in supporting Europe’s climate, energy and competitiveness objectives.
Symposium highlights why heating and cooling can no longer be overlooked in Europe’s green transition
The afternoon Symposium brought together representatives from EU institutions, industry associations and partner organisations around one central question: how can Europe build a sustainable, competitive and resilient heating and cooling sector?
The discussions made clear that heating and cooling can no longer be treated as a technical or niche issue. As Europe accelerates its green transition, the sector’s expertise is becoming indispensable to designing policies that are both ambitious and workable.
Speakers and panellists underlined the need for closer collaboration between policymakers and industry, recognising that Europe will increasingly rely on the technical knowledge, innovation capacity and practical experience of the heating and cooling sector to deliver on its energy, climate and competitiveness objectives.
The Symposium featured a keynote speech by Rosalinde van der Vlies, Director for Clean Planet (ENER.B) at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy, followed by a high-level panel discussion with Jozefien Vanbecelaere (EHPA), Matteo Rambaldi (APPLiA), Allison Le Corre (Covenant of Mayors & Energy Cities), Jacopo Tattini (DG GROW) and Suparna Arora (DIGITALEUROPE).
“Heating and cooling are no longer peripheral to Europe’s policy agenda — they are central to energy security, industrial competitiveness and climate action,” said Russell Patten, Director General of EPEE. “Europe cannot deliver a successful green transition without fully recognising the strategic importance of our sector. EPEE remains committed to ensuring that the voice of heating and cooling is heard and to working collaboratively with policymakers and stakeholders to shape ambitious, practical solutions for Europe’s future.”
Following the Symposium, the day concluded with a cocktail reception, which included a special recognition ceremony honouring members who have supported EPEE for more than twenty years. The moment celebrated the long-standing commitment and collaboration that continue to strengthen the association and the wider sector.
Looking ahead
As Europe navigates the twin challenges of decarbonisation and industrial transformation, EPEE will continue to work closely with its members, policymakers and partners to ensure heating and cooling remain at the heart of Europe’s energy, climate and industrial agenda.
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About EPEE
The European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE), representing manufacturing companies and associations operating in the refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) industry in Europe.
For more information, please contact:
Agnese Longo; Communication Advisor; a.longo@epeeglobal.org
