A socially fair transition towards a climate-neutral Union by 2050 is central to the European Green Deal. This is even more important in the current high energy price context. It means, among other things, tackling inequality and energy poverty through structural measures. Tackling energy poverty is a big part of a successful energy transition and vice versa. While social policy should play its full role where energy poverty is primarily a reflection of general poverty, measures aimed at reaching the energy targets, such us greater efficiency through housing renovations, can greatly contribute to addressing the structural causes of energy poverty.
The Commission has long supported the idea that municipalities need to be at the forefront when it comes to driving forward the just transition with targeted action and by example. As the EU’s leading initiative on local action addressing energy poverty, the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) will be the go-to place for local authorities and practitioners pursuing a wide range of solutions to reduce energy poverty. Direct support and a variety of online tools will be made available, based on research results and collected experience on the ground. The Hub is about optimising an action-based approach, adjusted to the diverse needs of municipalities across Europe.
The Energy Poverty Advisory Hub Launch Event 2021 will raise awareness as to how EU policies and this dedicated initiative are stepping up energy poverty alleviation efforts, particularly as just transition commitments are bolstered by the Fit for 55 Package and as the current high price environment requires particular attention to the needs of the energy poor and vulnerable consumers. Through high-level presentations, interactive debates and workshops, the event will create an enabling environment of sharing good practices that identify both opportunities and challenges perceived from different levels of governance.
