Organised by EHPA, this workshop in Krakow, Poland, hosted in Decarb Cities 2025 conference, brought together professionals working on building decarbonisation from across Europe, and two different partners of REDI4Heat were there to contribute to the conversation, Energy Cities and KAPE.

The session focused on the critical barriers facing the heat transition, the local strategies being deployed to overcome them, and the evolving ecosystem of skills, roles, and business models that will shape the future of climate-compatible heating systems.

The discussion deep dive into how the shift away from fossil-based heating is less a technical challenge and more a question of scaling solutions effectively and that one of the major barrier is the shortage of skilled professionals, leading to poor installations and reduced trust.

It was stressed that local authorities often lack the capacity for integrated, long-term planning, resulting in fragmented efforts. Governance in multifamily buildings and demographic issues, especially in depopulating areas, further complicate progress, but still cities across Europe are showing leadership through collaboration, community outreach, and strategic planning.

Some other important points raised from the discussion were:

  • – Standardisation and replication are proving effective in scaling solutions across similar housing stock.
  • – Installers are taking on broader roles, acting as advisors and system integrators.
  • – Innovative business models are emerging, focused on process efficiency and mass deployment.
  • – Communication should prioritise visibility and accessibility over persuasion.