Trentino councilor proposes aid to combat cooling poverty

Claudio Cia, a provincial councilor in Trentino, has filed motion no. 429 to combat ‘cooling poverty’ among elderly and vulnerable populations. The proposal aims to help individuals maintain safe indoor temperatures during intense heatwaves, addressing both the physical installation of cooling systems and the subsequent energy costs.

Cia highlights that for the elderly, disabled, or non-self-sufficient, extreme heat is a health risk rather than a mere discomfort. The motion follows significant heat events in Trento Laste, which recorded seven tropical nights and fourteen consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in June 2026.

The initiative requests that the provincial government implement experimental measures to support households facing economic hardship. Proposed solutions include funding for efficient cooling systems, heat pumps, and solar shielding, as well as subsidies to offset electricity bills. Cia emphasized that providing equipment without addressing energy costs only solves half the problem.