Breakfast expert discussion: “Heating Without Upfront Costs: Can Social Leasing Deliver Affordable Warmth in Europe?”

Thursday, 4 June 2026

Time: 08h00 – 10h00 

Venue: FES EU Office, Rue du Taciturne 38, 1000 Brussels 

In-person event 

Language: English 

Registration starts at 07.30. Coffee and pastries will be served before the event begins. 

Please register here

Across Europe, millions of households are struggling to heat their homes affordably. Continued global energy market volatility, driven by geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions, has demonstrated how quickly external shocks can translate into rising energy bills, financial burden, and increased vulnerability for citizens. At the same time, as Europe seeks to accelerate its transition towards climate neutrality, the heating sector remains one of the most critical and persistent bottlenecks. In the context of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, ensuring access to affordable and sustainable heating has become both a social and political priority. 

One emerging solution in this debate is social leasing for heating, part of the broader “heat-as-a-service” approach. Instead of requiring households to make large upfront investments, it allows them to access clean and efficient heating systems, such as heat pumps, through a predictable monthly fee. Yet important questions remain: can this model be effectively scaled across Europe? What risks need to be addressed, and which policy and regulatory measures are required to make it work in practice? This expert discussion will explore the model and examine the key barriers, as well as the necessary measures needed to move forward at the European level. 

Programme: 

07h30 – 08h00 Registration

08h00 – 08h05 Welcome by Claudia Detsch, Director of the FES Competence Centre for Climate and Social Justice

08h05 – 08h15 Keynote address and introduction to the political perspective by Mohammed Chahim, 
                         Member of the European Parliament, S&D Group, ENVI Committee

08h15 – 09h15 Expert exchange with: 

• Sillvia Rezessy, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG ENER
• Jozefien Vanbecelaere, Policy Director of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA)
• Marion Santini, Senior Associate & Team Lead at Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) tbc 

Moderator: Reghina Dimitrisina, Policy Advisor at the FES Competence Centre for Climate and Social Justice  

09h15 – 10h00 Q&A session with the audience