According to Bloomberg, millions of British apartment owners are unable to install solar panels, heat pumps, and air conditioning due to tenancy agreements and strict local council planning guidelines. These guidelines prioritize passive cooling over mechanical air conditioning, preventing residents from making necessary and cost-effective upgrades. Tenancy agreements also involve title issues: tenants typically have no right to alter the building's exterior structure or roof.
Air conditioning has become central to the conflict amid record-breaking heat waves across Europe. In the UK, upgrading to active cooling systems like air conditioning can sometimes violate net-zero emissions policies; these policies require that passive cooling methods (such as fans and ventilation systems) be fully utilized before mechanical cooling systems are permitted.
