Europe heatwave: Why is air conditioning the hot political debate dividing France?

France is enduring one of the most severe heatwaves in its modern history.

Temperatures have surged beyond 40 degrees Celsius across large swathes of the country, schools have been forced to shut, transport networks have struggled under the strain and authorities have warned of potentially dangerous consequences for public health.

Yet alongside the meteorological emergency, another battle has emerged as politicians, environmentalists and voters are increasingly divided over whether air conditioning represents an essential tool for survival or a short-term fix that risks aggravating longer-term problems.

The dispute has become so prominent that leading presidential hopefuls are openly clashing over the issue as France heads towards a new electoral cycle.

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How severe is France's current heatwave?

On June 22, France registered a national average maximum temperature of 37.8°C, the highest ever recorded. Several regions experienced temperatures well above 40°C. Châteaumayen reached 42.2°C, Dossevre recorded 41.5°C and parts of southwestern France climbed beyond 44°C.

The intensity of the heat prompted authorities to place up to 72 of mainland France's 96 departments under the highest red-alert category. More than 90 per cent of the country's population found itself exposed to hazardous weather conditions.

The heatwave's effects have been felt across daily life. Schools suspended classes, public transport services encountered operational problems and major tourist attractions temporarily closed their doors.

The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum both halted operations as temperatures continued to rise.

Meteorologists have warned that the episode could rival the devastating heatwave of 2003, one of the deadliest climate-related disasters in modern French history. That event resulted in approximately 14,800 excess deaths, many among elderly citizens.

The tragedy shocked France and led to major questions about the preparedness of public institutions, particularly because many public officials were away on summer holidays when the crisis unfolded.

The memory of 2003 remains deeply embedded in the national consciousness, and comparisons with that disaster have intensified demands for stronger protective measures during periods of extreme heat.

Why has air conditioning become a flashpoint?

What was once largely a technical discussion about infrastructure and public comfort has become intertwined with disputes over environmental policies and government spending in France.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National, RN) and one of the leading contenders to succeed incumbent President Emmanuel Macron, has turned air conditioning into a major political issue.

As temperatures soared above 40°C in cities stretching from Bordeaux to Nantes, Le Pen accused left-wing parties and environmental activists of allowing ideology to override practical concerns about public safety.

"It is absurd to have people die because of the heat," said the leader of the Rassemblement National party. "If I am elected president, I will put into place a massive air-conditioning plan, starting in places with the most vulnerable populations — hospitals, care homes and schools."

Her proposal calls for a nationwide expansion of cooling infrastructure, particularly in facilities housing vulnerable populations. Hospitals, nursing homes and educational institutions would receive priority under the plan.

The RN has sought to present the issue as one of social justice and public health rather than environmental policy. Party leaders argue that opposition to widespread cooling forces ordinary citizens, particularly those living in poorly insulated housing, to endure dangerous conditions while policymakers focus on longer-term climate goals.

Jean-Philippe Tanguy, one of the party's senior figures and spokespersons, has been among the most vocal advocates of a large-scale rollout.

"The 2003 heatwave should have been followed by a massive plan to install air conditioning, which unfortunately in France has long been an ideological taboo imposed by the left," said Tanguy, according to the Financial Times.

The RN has also outlined a funding mechanism for its proposals. Tanguy suggested supporting the installation of air conditioning systems through €20 billion in government-backed interest-free loans.

The party's position aligns with its broader criticism of environmental regulations introduced by Macron's government and supported by the European Union. National Rally leaders frequently argue that climate-related rules impose disproportionate burdens on working- and middle-class households.

In recent years, the party has criticised measures aimed at reducing vehicle emissions, phasing out fossil-fuel heating systems and requiring homeowners to undertake energy-efficiency upgrades.

In the National Assembly, RN helped push the government to soften regulations that would have penalised landlords who failed to improve the energy performance of rental properties. The party also opposed restrictions affecting older vehicles in urban centres.

For RN, the air-conditioning debate has become another example of what it portrays as excessive environmental policymaking detached from everyday realities.

Why are left-wing and Green parties resisting a large-scale AC rollout?

While the right sees cooling systems as a practical response to a public-health emergency, many politicians on the left and among environmental movements view the issue differently. Their central argument is that widespread dependence on air conditioning addresses the symptoms of climate change without tackling the underlying causes.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed (La France Insoumise, LFI), has emerged as one of the most prominent critics of proposals for mass installation. "Absolutely not. Installing air conditioning everywhere would only mean increasing the damage," he said, alluding to the risk of increased carbon emissions.

Environmental groups and left-wing politicians argue that the proliferation of air conditioners could create new challenges. One frequently cited concern is the amount of waste heat generated by cooling systems.

Studies have suggested that large numbers of air-conditioning units operating simultaneously can increase temperatures in dense urban areas, particularly during the evening and overnight hours. Instead of eliminating heat, these systems often transfer it outdoors, potentially making surrounding neighbourhoods warmer.

The International Energy Agency has also highlighted concerns about growing global demand for cooling. Greater use of air conditioning can substantially increase electricity consumption, placing additional pressure on power systems.

Marine Tondelier, leader of France's Green Party and another presidential candidate, has criticised what she views as the National Rally's sudden embrace of climate-related issues after years of questioning warnings from climate scientists.

The Green Party describes individual air-conditioning systems as a "maladaptive response" because they can increase neighbourhood temperatures while adding pressure to electricity networks.

Rather than focusing on mechanical cooling, Greens advocate a broader programme of climate adaptation. Their proposals include accelerating thermal renovation projects, improving building design, expanding vegetation in urban areas and creating cooler public spaces.

Supporters of these measures argue that better-insulated buildings can remain comfortable during both summer and winter while consuming less energy overall.

The Green Party is also proposing a state-funded "climate leave" programme. Under the plan, workers who face the greatest exposure to extreme heat could receive up to five days of paid leave each year during severe weather events.

Yet the scale of the current heatwave has also revealed some flexibility within environmental circles. Tondelier has sought to distance herself from claims that Greens are categorically opposed to air conditioning.

Acknowledging the severity of recent conditions, she stated there was "no taboo" against AC use in circumstances where cooling becomes essential for health and safety.

What makes France particularly vulnerable to extreme heat?

Historically, France's climate has been milder than that of parts of southern Europe. As a result, many buildings, schools and transport systems were designed for weather conditions that are becoming increasingly uncommon.

Air-conditioning ownership remains comparatively low. According to figures from the environmental agency Ademe, household adoption increased from 14 per cent in 2016 to 25 per cent in 2020, the latest year for which data is available.

Although growth has been significant, France still trails far behind countries where more than 70 per cent of households use air conditioning.

The consequences become particularly visible during periods of extreme heat. Millions of residents continue to live in apartments that were never designed for prolonged temperatures above 40°C. Upper-floor dwellings, particularly those beneath traditional zinc roofs, can become especially uncomfortable during heatwaves.

Demand for cooling equipment has surged as temperatures have risen, but many residents face delays linked to administrative procedures, installation requirements and housing regulations.

Public infrastructure reveals similar shortcomings. Only 14 per cent of schools are equipped with air conditioning. During the current heatwave, approximately 1,800 schools closed completely while another 8,000 shortened their schedules because classroom temperatures had become excessive.

Many educational facilities lack even basic cooling measures. Some schools reportedly do not have shutters, curtains or windows capable of opening properly.

Parents have attempted to compensate through improvised solutions. In several locations, families arrived carrying fans or applying window coverings intended to reduce solar heat.

Responding to mounting concerns, Paris authorities released emergency funding for schools. "There will be an AC unit delivered to every school in Paris by the end of next week," promised Emmanuel Grégoire, the Socialist deputy mayor of Paris.

Healthcare infrastructure faces its own challenges. Approximately 40 per cent of healthcare facilities have air conditioning, leaving many hospitals and medical centres vulnerable during extreme temperatures.

Public transportation also remains exposed. Only around 7 per cent of transport services are equipped with cooling systems. Significant portions of rail and bus networks continue to operate without air conditioning.

The heatwave has also affected transportation infrastructure itself. Around one-fifth of train services experienced cancellations or delays due to concerns that excessive temperatures could cause mechanical failures in ageing equipment.

France's vast architectural heritage creates another obstacle. The country has more than 45,000 officially protected historic monuments. Strict preservation regulations often limit or complicate alterations required for conventional air-conditioning installations.

As a result, adaptation measures that may be relatively straightforward elsewhere can become legally and technically challenging in historic French cities.

Where does France's energy come from?

Unlike many countries where air conditioning is criticised primarily because of its carbon footprint, France faces a more nuanced discussion.

Roughly 70 per cent of the country's electricity is generated by nuclear power stations. Because nuclear energy produces relatively low greenhouse-gas emissions during operation, running an air conditioner in France generally has a smaller carbon impact than in countries dependent on coal-fired generation.

This reality weakens some arguments commonly made against air conditioning elsewhere. Nevertheless, energy-related concerns have not disappeared.

Extreme temperatures can reduce the efficiency of electricity transmission infrastructure, making it more difficult to move power through the grid. Heat can also affect the operation of nuclear facilities.

Many reactors rely on river water for cooling purposes. When water temperatures rise beyond certain thresholds, operators may be required to reduce output to maintain safety standards.

At the same time, widespread installation of air-conditioning systems could dramatically increase electricity demand during periods when the grid is already under pressure.

Officials and analysts have warned that an uncontrolled surge in cooling demand could create risks for grid stability. Such concerns gained attention after power outages left approximately 68,000 households in northern France without electricity during the current heatwave.

Are French attitudes toward air conditioning changing?

Despite decades of scepticism, public opinion appears to be shifting rapidly. France has long maintained a complicated relationship with air conditioning. For many years, the technology was often viewed as an unnecessary luxury or an imported habit associated more closely with the United States than with French urban life.

Cultural concerns have also played a role. Many French people continue to believe that abrupt transitions between outdoor heat and heavily cooled indoor spaces can cause discomfort or illness.

Concerns about so-called "thermal shock" remain common, while some people associate excessive cooling with colds, nausea or other health problems.

Nevertheless, increasingly frequent heatwaves are altering perceptions.

An Ipsos poll conducted in June found that 84 per cent of respondents considered air conditioning the most effective immediate response to extreme heat. At the same time, 78 per cent agreed that it was not environmentally friendly.

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With inputs from agencies