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This policy brief asserts that the UK needs coordinated plans to stop homeowners resorting to emissions-creating air conditioning. Overheating is already a problem in UK homes, resulting in increasing levels of discomfort, illness and death. Without intervention from policymakers – many more UK households will opt for air-con.

Some of the key recommendations of this report, include:

• Act quickly and comprehensively: There is a "window of opportunity" to shape the future of cooling in UK homes, before overheating worsens and the domestic cooling market becomes established. Without action, air-con could become the new normal - creating unnecessary emissions and making it harder to decarbonise homes and the energy system. People should be supported to take a passive-first approach.
• Seek synergies: Reframing the challenge as "thermal comfort and health" would help break down existing policy silos and support higher visibility across government departments. "Quick wins" are available by integrating overheating and cooling into existing programmes that support decarbonisation in homes.
• Protect the most vulnerable and support all people: Vulnerable and disadvantaged are likely to be in poor housing, in areas that lack green space and suffer from higher pollution and overheating risks. An equitable approach to heat risk should be a policy priority.