The opinion, which was voted through by Committee of the Regions' members during the 119th plenary, calls for more concrete action to boost sustainable heating and cooling in Europe.

With 50% of energy in the EU being consumed by heating and cooling, improving sustainability is crucial for the EU to reach its energy and climate commitments. In her opinion, rapporteur Daiva Matonienė (LT/ECR), member of Šiauliai City Council and Deputy Minister for Environment of Lithuania, argued for the developing of smart district heating solutions that would have a positive impact on the environment, as well increasing energy security.

Whilst the European Commission has started to concentrate on sustainable heating and cooling solutions, the Committee has now asked the Commission to come up with more concrete actions, as well as better connect existing financial support mechanisms in the EU.

Ms Matonienė said: "The European Commission's strategy on heating and cooling is a major step forward but it lacks clarity."

"As local and regional authorities, we need to lead on this local issue and work towards preparing strategies for the promotion of sustainable heating and cooling. The Commission has a role to play in providing support, be it financial or technical, but it is important that the EU recognises that local and regional authorities are at the heart of this process."

Ms Matonienė's pledges are key to the reaching the EU's energy and climate objectives, with only one month to go until the global climate summit COP22 in Marrakesh.

Ms Matonienė added: "EU support must taking into account the diverse conditions that exist for heating and cooling. No EU country or region is the same. They face different geographic and demographic conditions. In turn, the development of heating and cooling systems differs from one locality to another."

Having been adopted unanimously by CoR members at this week's plenary session, the opinion will now be shared with the other European institutions.

Daiva Matonienė is a member of Šiauliai City Council in Lithuania and is also the Deputy Minister for Environment of Lithuania. She has been a member of the CoR since 2009 where she is the ECR Group ENVE Coordinator. In her home country she is directly responsible for the national programme of modernisation of multi-family apartment buildings, which aims to ensure that these buildings are more energy efficient.