Combatting energy poverty needs local community engagement, says EESC [Advocacy Lab Content]

2 months ago 15

For many Europeans, flipping a light switch or turning the faucet for warm water is an unremarkable action, often taken for granted. Yet, around 42 million people across Europe could not warm their homes effectively, the EESC is demanding more action.

According to Eurostat, energy poverty affects about 8% of the population. However, the recent surge in energy prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have made it even more difficult for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, single parents – many of whom are women – young people, migrants and refugees.

Energy poverty, a term that describes the lack of access to safe, reliable energy, often forces households to reduce their energy consumption to a level that negatively affects residents’ health and well-being. This reality results from three underlying factors: high household expenditure on energy, low income, and the poor energy performance of buildings and appliances.

In practical terms, this often means that some households and vulnerable groups reduce their disposable income and force many to choose between heating or eating. As energy poverty remains a significant challenge, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) says the EU must do more to address it.

During the third energy poverty conference, held by the EESC in Brussels last summer, Baiba Miltoviča, President of the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN), highlighted the worrying trend.

“These figures are appalling, and this situation is no longer acceptable. Clearly, the measures implemented so far have not worked. We need a new deal, a new agreement supported by strong political will where all levels of governance push in the same direction,” she said.

Current EU measures

The EU’s Clean Energy for All Europeans package (2019) included a provision to monitor energy poverty and various protections for vulnerable households.

The package required each Member State to establish integrated 10-year national energy and climate plans (NECPs) for 2021-30. In the NECPs, EU countries must describe their policies and measures to identify, monitor and address energy poverty.

The 2020 Renovation Wave strategy includes three main priorities: tackling energy poverty and the worst-performing buildings, improving public buildings and decarbonising heating and cooling technologies.

Meanwhile, the recently revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is a crucial piece of legislation included in this strategy. It aims to improve energy efficiency in buildings and make the EU’s building stock climate-neutral by 2050.

The 2023 Regulation establishing a Social Climate Fund (SCF) aims to provide funding to Member States to support vulnerable households, including those affected by energy poverty.

Under this fund, approximately 65 billion Euros should be made available for investments in more efficient buildings and lower-emission mobility and to finance temporary income support for vulnerable households. To access this funding, EU countries must submit their Social Climate Plans by June 2025.

The primary EU initiative is the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) – a central European energy poverty expertise platform. It provides direct support, online training, and research results for local authorities and all stakeholders interested in combating energy poverty in Europe and building a collaborative network of stakeholders.

More is needed

The EESC has stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle energy poverty, including ensuring affordable and energy-efficient housing, addressing mobility poverty, and implementing gender-sensitive measures.

The conference conclusions recommended creating regulatory framework conditions for future energy that guarantee an environmentally friendly, affordable, and reliable supply.

Additionally, it emphasised the importance of local authorities in building trust among energy-poor households and establishing effective networks to provide necessary support.

Furthermore, the EESC remarked on the need for gender-disaggregated data to develop gender-transformative measures that include women in decision-making positions in the energy sector.

Tackling energy poverty

In April, EPAH published its second handbook to guide member states in identifying the most feasible and lasting actions at the local level to tackle energy poverty. It provides a core methodology that local communities can adapt to their contexts and needs.

The goal is to ensure that every household, regardless of socio-economic standing, has equal access to the opportunities presented by a sustainable energy future.

Ireland’s energy refit

Taking practical steps to alleviate energy poverty, Ireland’s South East Energy Agency has completed deep retrofits on 15 properties as part of a project to combat energy poverty.

The work was carried out at a residential centre for elderly tenants, providing a service of supported self-care. All tenants were classified as living in energy poverty. The Holy Ghost Residential Home was built in the 1970s and urgently needed energy upgrades. The homes were cold and draughty and had mould on the internal ceilings and walls.

The renovations followed a ‘fabric first’ approach, upgrading the walls, roof, windows, and doors for improved energy efficiency. Airtightness was enhanced to reduce draughts, and mechanical ventilation was installed to remove stale air and bring in fresh air. Renewable energy technologies such as heat pumps, air-to-water heating systems with integrated controls, and solar PV were also incorporated into the project.

The project was part of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Community Energy Grant scheme. It provides a fitting example of the importance of local authorities in building trust among energy-poor households and establishing effective networks to provide the necessary support as recommended by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

With energy poverty still very much on the political heat map, the EESC looks set to increase political pressure as winter approaches.

[By Elizabeth De Gaetano I Edited by Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]