France strengthens local heating and cooling planning: a new regulatory milestone for cities

Following the legal transposition of Article 25.6 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) on local heating and cooling planning, the French government has adopted a new decree updating the Environmental Code (read our previsous article).

The decree implements several provisions related to the assessment of energy efficiency and energy sufficiency for large-scale projects, plans and programmes, notably within the framework of environmental impact assessments. It specifies how heating and cooling action programmes must be integrated into Territorial Climate-Air-Energy Plans (PCAETs), sets out the procedures for conducting cost–benefit analyses, and clarifies expectations regarding the monitoring of the energy performance of data centres. The decree also includes measures concerning electricity and gas transport, distribution, consumption and production data, with the aim of facilitating their collection. 

An updated approach to heating and cooling in local climate plans

The decree reinforces the heating and cooling component of Territorial Climate-Air-Energy Plans (PCAETs). Local authorities are now required to carry out a more comprehensive exercise, covering:

• a detailed territorial diagnosis,
• clearer strategic and operational objectives, and
• a strengthened programme of actions.

Importantly, the objectives of PCAETs are now explicitly focused on the reduction of final energy consumption, rather than the previous approach centred on energy demand “control” or relative stability. This shift marks a step forward in aligning local planning with national and EU climate objectives.

The new provisions will apply to PCAETs submitted for opinion to the regional prefect and the president of the regional council after 1 July 2026. 

What exactly is required from municipalities?

Under the new framework, inter-municipalities (EPCI) with at least one municipality over 45,000 inhabitants must carry out a territorial heating and cooling diagnosis including the following elements:

1. A comprehensive territorial diagnosis

Local authorities must assess:

• the production and consumption of heating and cooling, supported by dedicated mapping;
• existing heating and cooling production and distribution systems, with particular attention to:
  • buildings with low energy performance, and
  • the needs of households experiencing energy poverty;
• a mapping of improvement potentials for heating and cooling supply solutions.

This mapping must identify, for each relevant part of the territory, the potential deployment of:

• renewable and waste heat sources, notably through improved recovery of waste heat;
• district heating and cooling networks, including low-temperature networks;
• high-efficiency cogeneration.

It must also provide a clear overview of the existing heating and cooling supply situation, across all energy vectors.

2. Clear strategic and operational objectives

The decree requires the integration of strategic and operational objectives, aiming in particular—at least for public bodies—at:

• replacing old and inefficient heating and cooling equipment with efficient solutions;
• supporting the progressive phase-out of fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems.

3. A structured programme of actions and financing

Finally, the programme of actions must:

• identify the financial resources associated with the implementation of the local heating and cooling strategy;
• describe the financial support schemes enabling consumers to opt for renewable and efficient heating and cooling solutions.

Why this matters

With this decree, France moves beyond high-level planning principles and provides more concrete, operational guidance for cities on how to plan the transition of heating and cooling systems. By strengthening diagnostics, clarifying objectives, and linking strategies to financing, the new framework brings local heating and cooling planning closer to implementation—an essential step for decarbonising a sector that remains one of the largest sources of energy consumption and emissions. However, cities will need concrete support to be able to carry out the exercice, meaning stronger technical and financial support from national authorities. This is essential to turn the planning exercice into clean heating and cooling solutions.

Do you want to know more ? Check out our EU Tracker, mapping progress in all Member States.