Will plans to ease energy poverty go up in smoke?

3/02/2021, h.  14:00 – 16:00
Piattaforma Teams

Energy poor households face difficulties in securing basic energy-related needs, such keeping an apartment warm in winter or cool in summer, maintaining hot running water, or accessing sufficient electricity for their devices. These difficulties are linked to the low energy performance of the dwelling, low incomes, high energy costs, and the way energy is used at home. Negative effects of energy poverty take various forms, such as major thermal discomfort, worsening physical and mental health conditions, and lower performance at work and school. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they also lead to an inability to work or study from home.
In Europe, the transition to a low-carbon energy future could be a strategic time to tackle energy poverty. The European Union asks Member States to assess energy poverty and outline policies and measures to tackle it in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP). Hungary has a relatively high incidence of energy poverty, characterized by a low-performing housing stock, low incomes compared to the EU average and the high prevalence of burning solid fuels in outdated devices. Additionally, energy and housing policy favour higher income groups.

This seminar will focus on how well the energy poverty related chapters of Hungary’s NECP can offer a robust framework to alleviate energy poverty in the next decade.

Relatori: Agnes Batory – Central European University, Violetta Zentai – Central European University, Lea Koszeghy –  Institute for Sociology, Stefania Sabatinelli – Politecnico di Milano, Sergio Tirado Herrero – Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

Responsabile: Anna Zsófia Bajomi