Energy poverty is a socio-economic phenomenon caused by a triad of low income, high energy expenses, and poor energy efficiency in buildings, and has been accelerated by recent events in Europe’s climate, health, and political spheres. In 2020, it was estimated that around 36 million people in the EU were unable to keep their homes adequately warm, with the private rented sector (PRS) being most affected due to its position as the least energy-efficient among all housing sectors, while also having the most elevated levels of energy poverty. With the alleviation of energy poverty gaining increasing attention and importance within EU-wide and Member States’ climate ambitions, as can be seen in the European Green Deal, the Fit-for-55 Package, and the 2023 updates of the National Energy and Climate Plans, the PRS should not be discounted as an avenue of achieving a just transition towards climate neutrality, as the sector is growing in market size, meaning that it’s impact on EU energy and climate will grow proportionally.
This thematic seminar, focusing on how to reach energy-poor households – and more specifically tenants – in order to pass on knowledge of technical and behavioral energy saving measures, programs, and funds, demonstrated a number of successful and replicable methods to connect with tenants of the PRS, with the aim of:
i) increasing their knowledge on energy efficiency measures and
ii) decreasing their levels of energy poverty, thereby contributing to a just energy transition.
Catch up with the event with the recording below and presentations.
