Competitive, fair and decarbonised: These are key attributes for societies across the globe by 2050.As the most important end-use sectors, heating and cooling are vital to achieving the 2050 objectives. The Congress will take a closer look at key challenges:How can the next generation of District Heating and Cooling systems best serve the future smart city?How to support communities seeking cost-effective strategies to deliver more sustainable but also affordable energy services for their citizens?What are the cost-optimal choices between insulating buildings and systematically using waste-heat?Which are the decisive factors to be taken into account for future-proof decisions?What are the most promising strategies for the 21st century?