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A YouGov survey finds that majorities of people across six European nations favor installing air conditioning in homes over reducing carbon emissions.

A YouGov survey conducted across France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the UK reveals that a majority of residents in these nations favor the adoption of air conditioning over prioritizing the reduction of carbon emissions. In most countries surveyed, between 41% and 48% of respondents stated that mitigating the harms of heatwaves through air conditioning should be a priority. This preference is driven by the other fact that air conditioning is currently less common in Europe than in the United States, where 93% of a market penetration. Data shows that between 61% and 73% of respondents supported making air conditioning a standard feature in all new homes. Furthermore, 52% to 66% of respondents expressed support for government subsidies to help homeowners afford the installation. While some critics argue that mechanical cooling is less efficient than long-term solutions like insulation, the majority of respondents who own air conditioning reported a significant improvement in comfort during recent heatwaves. Cost remains the primary obstacle for most residents, with 52% to 75% of people citing high prices as the main reason for not having a system.

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