Skip to main content
European Commission logo
Burgemeestersconvenan – Europa
  • News article
  • 24 January 2025

A just gas phase-out and heating decarbonisation: learnings from our deep-dive workshop in Vienna

How can cities decarbonise their heating while ensuring equity? Dive with us into practical solutions and strategies shaping the future of sustainable heating, coming from Vienna, The Hague and Utrecht, presented at the our recent workshop in Vienna.

Vienna city view
Heating & Cooling
Cities Heat Detox
Mitigation

A just gas phase-out: policies and priorities

Transitioning away from gas requires robust mechanisms to create leverage across sectors like energy pricing, tenant laws, and permitting. Ensuring consistency in legislation and policies at national levels is essential to maintain fairness and effectiveness in urban heating reforms.

Subsidy schemes targeting low-income groups are a crucial step. For instance, programmes aimed at informing state-aided households about support for energy renovations demonstrate how precision-driven subsidies can tackle energy poverty.

Integrated solutions for urban energy systems

Urban heating decarbonisation is about more than heat. It calls for a holistic approach, integrating energy storage, and multi-functional solutions like cooling systems via heat pumps. Moving beyond a heating-only focus enables cities to build resilient energy ecosystems. Vienna heating plan 2040 sets a compelling example of such integration. By exploring renewable energy solutions for district heating (DH) networks in dense urban centres and renewable energy systems (RES) in suburban zones, the city is paving the way for a comprehensive transformation. 

Shifting the narrative: from technology to comfort

The success of energy transitions depends on public acceptance. People are more likely to embrace change when it aligns with their everyday values and lifestyle. Shifting the focus from technical jargon to relatable outcomes—like “comfort” and “quality of life”—helps citizens see the tangible benefits of transitioning to sustainable heating.

Cities like The Hague have introduced transparent user-friendly online tool that guide residents on the most suitable heating options for their homes. Such initiatives empower citizens while fostering trust in the transition process.  

Cities as pioneers: localised and bottom-up approaches

Cities are at the forefront of heating transformations. In Belgium, local frameworks for energy pricing inspire national replication, illustrating how bottom-up strategies can drive systemic change.

Vienna’s "100 projects phasing out gas" initiative is another proof of the importance of local action. By retrofitting gas-reliant buildings with renewable energy systems—like heat pumps, biomass, and innovative wastewater energy solutions—the program is not only accelerating the transition but also identifying key barriers and solutions for scalability. Each project is a lesson and a step closer to a gas-free city.

The workshop was combined with a group study visit to flagship projects of the ‘100 projects phasing out gas’: check out the video and the interviews here.  

Building capacity for change

Transforming urban heating systems demands resources—financial, human, and institutional. National and EU-level investments are essential for upgrading infrastructure and implementing large-scale building renovations, as cities cannot take this burden alone.

Vienna showcases what’s possible with strong financial backing: 75% subsidies for building renovations have enabled significant progress. However, gaps remain in funding for broader investments, underlining the need for sustained support at higher governance levels.

Winning hearts and minds

One of the greatest obstacles is persuading residents to switch from gas-based systems. Communication and education are critical. As the workshop made clear, the path to decarbonisation is paved not just with policies and technologies, but with stories—stories of comfort, empowerment, and shared progress.

 

Check out our latest story on Vienna’s plans to phase out gas and other inspirations on our Heat Detox Map

 

Resources:

Bijzonderheden

Datum publicatie
24 January 2025