On January 17, 2024, the closing event of the EnergyMeasures: Supporting Households at Risk of Energy Poverty project was held in Brussels, summarizing more than 3 years of the consortium's work to improve the energy efficiency of households at risk of energy poverty by raising residents' energy awareness, changing their habits and applying low-cost energy saving measures. The event was an opportunity to summarize the project's activities and results, which were presented by coordinator Dr. Niall Dunphy of University College Cork. After this introduction, the assembled participants had the opportunity to watch a documentary film, which was produced during the project and allows one to approach the implementation of the tasks from the point of view of sensitive audiences in the involved regions, as well as the most important insights of the experts:
This screening was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Breffní Lennon of University College Cork, during which the panel's invited experts debated ways to combat energy poverty and talked about lessons learned from implemented activities. They shed light on the complexity and potential solutions to one of Europe's most pressing energy challenges. The conversation was initiated by Ute Dubois, associate professor at ISG International Business School in Paris. She highlighted the vivid picture of the difficulties encountered in the fight against energy poverty: "There are many stigmas associated with energy poverty. One of the most important challenges for us is the entry point." Her words underscored the critical need to break down social barriers and reach people who may be unaware of the assistance available to them. Dr. Paola Velasco-Herrejón, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow at the University of Oslo, brought a global perspective to the discourse, emphasizing the importance of empowerment: "Citizens should believe that they are capable of understanding their energy situation and confronting it." Dr. Velasco-Herrejón's interdisciplinary approach highlighted the interconnected nature of energy challenges and the potential for inclusive, empowering solutions. Dr. Velasco-Herrejón is co-editor of the recently published book Living with Energy Poverty - Perspectives from the Global North and South.
Strategies beyond emergency measures and subsidies
Dora Biondani, project manager at the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub, enthusiastically advocated for collaboration and building on past experience: "The basic principle is to strengthen the network of actors seeking to reduce energy poverty among households. We should take advantage of the various experiences we have gained from the remarkable reports and the various implemented solutions at the municipal level, and exchange ideas to build on those already in place." Her call for long-term solutions echoed her belief that energy poverty requires comprehensive strategies that go beyond short-term solutions and subsidies. Dr. Eduardo Blanco, project manager at Energy Cities, meanwhile, stressed the need for comprehensive solutions at the structural level: "Energy poverty is being tackled by local governments through policy changes and business models; however, it is a structural problem and requires structural solutions." His vision for green and clean energy neighborhoods exemplified a commitment to positive, influential change at the community level.
The importance of a precise definition
Dr. Dragomir Tzanev, executive director of the EnEffect Energy Efficiency Center, also took part in the discussion. He stressed the key role of local authorities in building trust and motivation: "If you involve local authorities in the whole process of combating energy poverty, it increases people's confidence in the process. This, in turn, translates into greater motivation to renovate housing." His insights underscore the importance of a precise definition in designing a systemic approach: "A definition of energy poverty is very useful when it comes to designing a systemic approach to solving the problem. We should be able to clearly define who to approach in this process.". The exchanges and discussions at the event in Brussels underscored the urgent need for a common approach to combating energy poverty at multiple levels. As Europe charts its course toward a sustainable future, these insights act as a lighthouse, leading the way to building an inclusive and secure energy system. To learn more about the activities completed, please visit our websites https://energymeasures.eu/ and http://www.pnec.org.pl/pl/energy-measures
The event was organized as part of the EnergyMeasures project, which is funded by Horizon 2020, the European Union's largest research and innovation funding program, under grant agreement No. 894759.
