UK industry could clinch energy security by capturing 'free energy' from natural and waste heat. Insight by Richard Lek, President EMEA, Johnson Controls and Katie McGinty, Chief Sustainability Officer and External Relations Officer, Johnson Controls. Every day, vast amounts of valuable thermal energy escape unnoticed from Europe's critical industries and institutions, or remain unused in the surrounding air, water, and soil. This overlooked resource could be a game-changer for Europe's energy resilience and competitiveness. Thanks to advances in heat pump technology, we now have the tools to capture and convert this ambient, waste heat into reliable, clean energy. Businesses and communities across Europe are already putting this into practice, with impressive results. In 2024, Johnson Controls' heat pump systems helped customers slash energy costs by 53% and reduce carbon emissions by 60%.