The mercury hit a record 45.9°C in Gallargues-le-Montueux on Friday, marking France’s hottest day since records began. As the country swelters, a new political fault line has opened: air conditioning.
President Macron has urged restraint, calling for ‘sustainable cooling’ while the far right accuses him of climate elitism. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally wants AC in all public housing. Meanwhile, experts point to the UK’s success in reducing cooling demand through building standards and heat pumps.
Dr. Vance explains: “France is facing the physical reality of a warming planet. Air conditioning is an energy-intensive bandage.
The UK has shown that insulation and passive cooling can cut emissions and reduce heat stress. It is not a luxury; it is a systematic choice.” The French government is now considering a mandate for AC in new builds, but only if powered by renewables.
The debate highlights a global tension: how to cool a heating world without boiling it further.
