At the 2026 ManagEnergy Talk, climate and energy experts explored how rising temperatures are already affecting people, cities, infrastructure and energy systems across Europe. The key message is that decarbonisation remains essential, but it is no longer enough on its own. Europe’s energy transition must also become climate-resilient.
Held during 2026 European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) in Brussels and streamed online, the session brought together local and regional Energy Agencies, EU representatives and climate experts for a timely discussion on how Europe can prepare for a hotter future while continuing to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Featuring inputs from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), the Upper Austria Regional Energy Agency (OÖ Energiesparverband) and a keynote by climate and public policy expert Alexandre Florentin, the talk highlighted why resilience must become a central part of local energy action.
Energy Agencies at the heart of a changing transition
Christiane Egger, OÖ Energiesparverband Deputy Manager and ManagEnergy Team member, opened the session by recalling the role of local and regional Energy Agencies in turning climate and energy objectives into concrete action.
Across Europe, more than 300 Energy Agencies are working directly with citizens, businesses, municipalities and regions. Through advice, training, coaching, networking and project support, they help make investments in clean energy not only necessary, but feasible and desirable.
However, this work is taking place in a rapidly changing context. Fluctuating energy prices, unstable funding schemes, evolving regulatory frameworks and the growing impacts of climate change are all reshaping the priorities of local actors. For Energy Agencies, this means supporting not only decarbonisation, but also the resilience of buildings, infrastructure and communities.
Drawing on the example of Upper Austria, Christiane Egger explained that climate resilience is already part of practical energy advice. When supporting homeowners with renovation, the agency also encourages them to consider future temperatures, overheating risks and the importance of shading, ventilation and building design.
From decarbonisation to resilience
Representing CINEA, Hans Rhein, Head of Unit for LIFE Energy & Climate, underlined that Europe has made major progress in the clean energy transition. Emissions from the power sector have fallen significantly, and clean energy investments now represent a growing share of new energy investment.
But he also stressed that climate impacts are no longer a distant threat. Heatwaves, droughts and other extreme weather events are already affecting people, cities, infrastructure and energy systems, generating increasing social and economic costs.
"Decarbonisation alone is no longer enough. Europe needs energy systems that are not only clean, but also reliable under growing climate stress."
Hans Rhein, CINEA
Through the LIFE Programme, the European Commission is already supporting projects that respond to this challenge. These include initiatives on heating and cooling planning, climate shelters, cool spaces, urban heat islands, energy communities, energy poverty, nature-based solutions and infrastructure resilience.
For local actors, the challenge is now to bring mitigation and adaptation together. The transition must reduce emissions while also protecting people and infrastructure from the impacts that are already unavoidable.
Heatwaves: an invisible killer affecting visible systems
The keynote speech was delivered by Alexandre Florentin, engineer, public policy and climate expert, and former Paris city councillor. Drawing on his experience leading the cross-party “Paris at 50°C” mission, he reminded participants that climate change has already begun.
“Adaptation is short-term, concrete and also a protection agenda.”
Alexandre Florentin, climate and public policy expert
Florentin argued that adaptation can make climate action more concrete for citizens, because it starts from what people already feel: heat, discomfort and risk. He pointed to Spanish cities, where climate shelters are being designed not only as cooled spaces, but as welcoming places where people can spend time, meet others and stay safe.
He also highlighted deeper urban adaptation challenges, from greening and shade creation to cross-ventilation, climate drills, protection for outdoor workers and debates on how cities like Paris can preserve architectural heritage while keeping homes liveable during heatwaves.
The impact of heat also extends far beyond human health. Railways, buildings, electronic systems, air conditioning, energy production, transmission and distribution are all affected by high temperatures. Thermal and nuclear power plants need cooling systems, solar panels lose efficiency when temperatures rise, and electricity lines can be affected by heat.
This means that Europe cannot rely only on energy-intensive technological responses, such as more air conditioning, to address the problem. Heat is a systemic challenge, and it requires systemic solutions.
Adaptation as a protection agenda
Across Europe, cities are already experimenting with new responses. Florentin pointed to climate shelters in Spain, which are designed not only as cooled spaces, but also as welcoming social places where people can spend time, meet others and feel safe.
In Paris, the discussion has also reached the city’s architectural heritage. Zinc roofs are part of the city’s identity, but they can also make top-floor homes dangerously hot during heatwaves. This raises difficult questions about how to preserve cultural heritage while keeping cities liveable.
Other cities are exploring climate drills, new working arrangements for outdoor and essential workers, more shade, greener public spaces, better ventilation and changes to urban design.
Florentin also challenged the idea that adaptation and mitigation are competing priorities. For citizens, adaptation is often easier to understand because it is immediate, local and linked to protection. People already feel the heat and want practical solutions.
Starting from adaptation can therefore open a stronger conversation about mitigation. Once communities understand that not everything can be adapted to unlimited climate change, the need to reduce emissions becomes clearer.
Conclusion: Resilience must become part of the energy transition
The ManagEnergy Talk closed with a strong reminder that resilience and decarbonisation must go hand in hand.
For local and regional Energy Agencies, one of the clearest examples is building renovation. A well-insulated building that also includes shading, ventilation and overheating protection is not only more energy efficient. It is also safer, healthier and more comfortable during heatwaves.
The session highlighted that Europe’s energy systems must not only reduce emissions, but also remain reliable under climate stress. By combining mitigation and adaptation, local and regional actors can help build a Europe that is cleaner, safer, more stable and more liveable.
As Europe heats up, the message from the 2026 ManagEnergy Talk was clear: the energy transition must keep its cool.
Watch the recordings
Alexandre Florentin's keynote speech is now available through our Youtube Channel:
If you would like to watch the full session, it is available on the EUSEW YouTube channel:
- Reference
- ManagEnergy Talks
- Publication date
- 18 June 2026
- Author
- European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency