ENPOR supports the design and implementation of ten policies that contribute to fight energy poverty in the Private Rented Sector (PRS). The method to do so is based on the idea of REACT Groups, that consider the needs of tenants and property owners and integrate them into broader policy contexts. REACT Groups engage different stakeholders in all ENPOR countries involved in the project, working together to co-create targeted and practical policies, to promote the exchange of information and to build a network. A Stakeholder Engagement Strategy was developed to guide this process, a strategy that is currently being implemented further tailored to the specific circumstances of each country.

The members in REACT groups are organisations involved in the energy efficiency value chain, who are in the position to provide solutions to problems related to energy poverty issues in various countries. A unique opportunity with ENPOR is that all relevant stakeholder groups are represented during the co-creation process: Landlords / co-owners’ associations, Charitable and social work associations, Energy agencies / energy consultants, Municipality / regional / national policymakers, Citizens groups / NGOs and Utilities.

The European private rented sector has been a blind spot until now, when identifying barriers and finding solutions to overcome long-lasting problems for energy vulnerability and energy poverty. For the first time, a unique set of stakeholders comes together to analyse the problems and suggest solutions in the ENPOR Publication: Structural Factors Impacting Energy Efficiency Policy Implementation in the European Private Rented Sector.

Housing and the residential sector are the second largest energy-consuming category in Europe, with 26.7% of total energy consumption, and are responsible for around 8.5% of greenhouse gas emissions. As much as 75% of the EU’s building stock is inefficient, and only 1% is renovated per year. Renovating and improving the energy efficiency of buildings could reduce the EU’s CO2 emissions and energy consumption by 5%.

The authors of this report identify the structural elements that underpin efforts to improve the energy efficiency of the private rented sector in Europe. They demonstrate the complex barriers in the path of energy efficiency investment in this part of the housing stock, as well as the integrated solutions that can help address them. Examples of good practices across Europe highlight how successful initiatives to reduce energy poverty go hand in hand with wider interventions in how energy and housing are lived, experienced and regulated.

In a series of online lunchtime chats, we invite experts, policy-makers, professionals and academics to discuss with us the science and policy practice in and around topics affecting energy poverty.

On every first Tuesdays of the month starting from October on, at 12:30 CET, grab your sandwich, take a seat and tune in to hear and contribute to our Lunch Talks.

Save the Dates:

5th of October 2021: What Prevents Energy Efficiency Policy Implementation in the European Private Rented Sector?

2nd of November 2021: The Energy Poverty Dashboard

7th of December 2021: Energy Performance Standards in Buildings - Will it help reducing energy poverty?

We are looking for stories to amplify the demands of people living in energy poverty. Are you willing to share:

1. a short 100-200 word story of their experience and demands,
2. a picture (preferably high quality) with a written demand for social media?

Have they had a successful renovation? Are they collectivising with others? Is there potential for a community renewable energy scheme in their area?Do they have a specific request for national decision makers? We want to hear their lived experience of energy poverty, but also what successes or hopes they have. Share your stories by e-mail to contact (at) enpor.eu by 30th of September.

Photo by MD Duran via Unsplash

Guest Article by dr. Lidija Živčič, Focus Association for Sustainable Development

Photo by Andre Benz via unsplash

by Stratos I. Paradias, Lawyer, President of The International Union of Property Owners (UIPI) and Hellenic Property Federation (POMIDA)

The European Commission (EC) is inviting Member States to invest their subsidies to tackle the dangerously growing phenomenon of energy poverty, which is hitting poor households all over the continent. In Greece, the “Energy Savings and Automation for Smart Homes” programme is the only substantial State help to property owners in the long path of upgrading their buildings’ energy performance.  

Photo by Riccardo Annandale via Unsplash

by Roberto Barrella, Comillas Pontifical University, Chair of Energy and Poverty - Institute for Research in Technology (IIT) - via  ENGAGER COST Action.

In October 2018, the Spanish Government issued a Royal Decree relating to urgent measures for energy transition and consumer protection. Among other actions, this decree established the need to develop a National Strategy against Energy Poverty (NSEP). In April 2019, after an open public consultation conducted over a three-month period, the Spanish Government approved the NSEP 2019-2024. This document has been drafted by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and incorporate many of the contributions sent to the public consultation. The main proposals of this strategy can be summarized in six points:

By Helena Daum and Eva Suba, Climate Alliance

34 million Europeans are facing the threat of energy poverty. Lately, the issue is getting more and more attention – whether at EU level, in local climate action strategies or at Climate Alliance. But what exactly is energy poverty and what can municipalities in Europe do about it?

The Covenant of Mayors defines energy poverty as a condition in which households cannot afford basic energy services such as heating, cooling, lightning, mobility and electricity due to low income, high energy costs or low energy standards of buildings. The definition makes it clear that the fight against energy poverty is a cross-cutting task and affects different policy fields, including climate and environmental policy. 

Photo by Ben White via unsplash

by Madison Steele, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

The word ‘poverty’ tells us to pay attention to material things, such as sufficient income for energy bills or proper insulation in homes. In doing so, we may forget to think about the social side of energy poverty. When we think about energy poverty as a social issue, we recognise the important roles that people’s relationships with each other, their community and their government play.

We also recognise that multiple factors affect someone’s decision to participate in voluntary energy-saving initiatives. Even if energy-saving initiatives offer households items and services that are low-cost or free of cost, people need to (a) receive clear communication about energy-saving services and (b) trust that the services are working in their best interests.

Through an integrated approach of using varied materials, simple language, trusted networks and community resources, energy-saving initiatives can start to overcome the social barriers to engaging energy poor households.

Read on to learn more:

Energy Taxation and Its Societal Effects

This report of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission provides a detailed overview of energy taxation – the current policy context, household energy prices and the impact of energy taxation on financially disadvantaged citizens.

A framework for ‘right to energy’ to meet UN SDG7: Policy implications to meet basic human energy needs, eradicate energy poverty, enhance energy justice, and uphold energy democracy

The study suggests that the concept of a ‘right to energy’ can serve as a good foundation and justification for governments and other actors to intervene or address issues such as lack of access to energy and energy services, energy poverty, energy injustice, and lack of energy democracy.
This article/publication is based upon work from COST Action CA16232 (ENGAGER), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).

The Role of the Ombudsman in Energy Poverty Alleviation

This paper aims to explore the role of institutions, and specifically of the Ombudsman, in creating and practicing policies with relevance to energy poverty as a case of procedural energy (in)justice in a European context, while refining procedural energy justice.

Conference Report Available

Energy poverty at the crossroads of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Green Deal by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

The Conference was held on 20 April 2021. The publication is available in six languages (EN, FR, IT, DE, ES, LV) HERE

Coming up

Conference Social Innovation: Next steps in the Energy Transition

On *18-19 November 2021,* the platform on Social Innovation in the Energy Transition at Delft University of Technology is organizing its second conference: "Social Innovation: Next steps in the Energy Transition”.
You can find more information about topics, deadlines and registration on their website.

Outlook: United States

Webinar recording available: Tackling Renters’ Energy Costs in the US: How Local Governments Can Equitably Improve Efficiency

Rental housing is less energy efficient, on average, than owner-occupied homes, contributing to challenging energy bills for many residents. How can local governments help equitably improve the efficiency of rental units to lower costs? Hear lessons from a new guide for municipal officials, published by ACEEE in partnership with the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN).

ENPOR increases the capacity of the decision makers for understanding and mitigating its effects by designing and implementing ten policies. To bundle findings and outcomes of projects dealing with energy vulnerability and to support policies related to fair energy transition we seek to publish related interesting news and articles. We welcome articles and news from other projects and inititiatives, as well as by researchers or policy initiatives interested in distributing their results  in an easy-to-understand language.

This Newsletter reflects only the author’s view and CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. ENPOR has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 889385.