Europeans favour air con over emissions cuts, poll finds

A survey across six major European nations, including the UK, has found that more people favour encouraging the adoption of air conditioning over keeping carbon emissions down, according to a report published by the Guardian on Monday. The poll followed four extreme heat events that have intensified public demand for cooling in homes.

The findings point to a growing tension between climate goals and immediate comfort, a dilemma that resonates strongly in Italy's Alpine regions, where summer temperatures have climbed in recent years.

The Guardian report did not break down results by country, but the trend aligns with observations from Italy's energy sector, where air conditioning use has driven a sharp rise in electricity bills, as The Local Italy noted in its Monday roundup. The combined picture suggests a continent choosing short-term relief over long-term targets.