Liquid Gas Europe calls for a technology-neutral Heating and Cooling Strategy that addresses structural and economic barriers in rural areas
Liquid Gas Europe has submitted its response to the European Commission’s consultation on the EU Heating and Cooling Strategy, urging a technology-neutral, inclusive framework that reflects the structural and economic challenges facing Europe’s rural and off-grid communities.
Across the EU, nearly 50 million rural households remain off the gas grid — many located in buildings constructed before 1970, often inefficient and reliant on high-carbon fuels such as oil or coal. For these homes, large-scale electrification faces structural constraints, including weak local electricity networks, while the high upfront costs of new heating systems create significant economic barriers for households with limited means.
LGE’s response highlights the role of renewable liquid gases (rLGs) — including bioLPG and renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) — as immediate, cost-effective, and scalable solutions to decarbonise heating and cooling in rural Europe. These renewable molecules can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 90% while utilising existing infrastructure and appliances, providing a practical pathway for the 137 million Europeans living in rural areas. Looking ahead, LGE’s Outlook for Renewable Liquid Gas projects suggests that rLG supply could reach 27 million tonnes by 2050, sufficient to replace all traditional LPG currently used in the EU.
Liquid Gas Europe calls on the European Commission to ensure that the forthcoming EU Heating and Cooling Strategy explicitly recognises both the role of renewable liquid gases and the specific needs of rural and off-grid communities. By integrating renewable liquid gases such as bioLPG and rDME into the strategy, the EU can deliver a technology-neutral framework that supports affordable, realistic decarbonisation pathways for all. This approach will help overcome structural and economic barriers in rural areas, ensuring a just and inclusive energy transition that truly leaves no one behind.
