France heatwave: RN proposes €40bn air conditioning plan as records fall
As France endures its hottest day on record, the far-right Rassemblement National prepares a €40 billion zero-interest loan scheme to air-condition public buildings and homes, while the left softens its long-held opposition to air conditioning.
Record-breaking heatwave
France experienced its hottest day since records began in 1947 on Wednesday, with a national thermal indicator of 30°C, surpassing Tuesday's 29.9°C. Paris recorded 40.3°C, only the fourth time in 150 years the capital has crossed that threshold. By Thursday, 72 departments were under red alert, covering three-quarters of the population. The heatwave is expected to persist until at least 14 July, according to Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut.
- France records hottest day since 1947 with national thermal indicator at 29.9°C
- New record set at 30°C; Paris hits 40.3°C; 58 departments under red alert
- 72 departments under red alert, covering three-quarters of the population
- Heatwave expected to last until this date, per Ecological Transition Minister
Political pressure mounts
The extreme temperatures have turned air conditioning into a political flashpoint. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon stated,
But opposition deputies accused the executive of inaction. Communist Stéphane Peu called the minister's response inadequate, while Socialist Philippe Nallet said the government had failed to anticipate the crisis. Right-wing deputy Jérôme End urged a long-term strategy, warning against "reacting in permanent emotionality."We are in favor of air conditioning wherever necessary. I simply say that it cannot be the only answer.
RN's €40 billion plan
The Rassemblement National is set to unveil a "plan clim" early next week, according to franceinfo. The proposal, backed by deputies Thomas Ménagé and Jean-Philippe Tanguy, would allocate €40 billion in zero-interest loans: €20 billion for air conditioning in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes, and another €20 billion for private residences. To avoid increasing public debt, the RN wants the European Central Bank to participate in financing, a mechanism the ECB has never used for such purposes.
We cannot condemn elderly people in nursing homes, children in schools, or sick people in hospitals.
Left and ecologists shift stance
Long critical of air conditioning as a "maladaptation," parts of the left are now softening. France Insoumise called on Wednesday for urgent air conditioning of hospitals, nursing homes, and schools, though presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon had recently said he would not put his family in air-conditioned spaces all day. Marine Tondelier of the Ecologists acknowledged AC as an emergency solution but warned,
It heats up the street, it heats up your neighbors, so if everyone does that, it increases the problem of heat islands.
Environmental and practical hurdles
Air conditioning currently accounts for about 1% of France's greenhouse gas emissions, but its energy consumption strains the grid during summer peaks. Only 7% of school buildings, two-thirds of offices, and a quarter of homes are equipped. A June 2026 IPSOS poll found that just 21% of French people consider AC environmentally friendly, and 8 out of 10 view it as not respectful of the environment. Yet globally, AC saves an estimated 200,000 lives per year.
- Schools
- 7 %
- Offices
- 66 %
- Homes
- 25 %
The government plans to integrate heatwave adaptation amendments into a housing bill, but funding remains uncertain after cuts to the green transition fund.
