Page 7 - European Energy Innovation - Autumn 2014
P. 7
Autumn 2014 European Energy Innovation 7
FUEL POVERTY
added value or economic growth. Fuel poverty indicators of people at risk of poverty (2012),
In contrast, energy renovations Source: BPIE, based on Eurostat data *Data from 2011
could create an economic lever
and be a long-term answer to Policy financial instruments, Indeed, the data available thus far
fuel poverty by reducing energy especially since most of these proves the existence of patterns
costs and ensuring improved funds are distributed in countries and trends such as the continuous
thermal comfort. Larger scale with the highest number of increase of energy prices
energy efficiency measures can people affected by fuel poverty. concurrent with a lack of growing
create or maintain jobs, reduce It is estimated that €1 euro of household net incomes and a
illness, rehabilitate poor districts subsidy in energy efficiency marginal decrease of energy
and therefore contribute to projects can leverage €9 to consumption per dwelling. All
social inclusion. Results from €12.50 euros of private funding. these factors signal that Europe
implemented energy renovation Therefore, on top of the €23 is moving deeper into fuel
programmes targeting the fuel billion foreseen in the Cohesion poverty. This alone should raise
poor highlight these positive Policy 2014-2020 for low carbon concerns about the lack of a long-
effects. But even if energy schemes, an additional €207- term strategy for fuel poverty
efficiency measures have proven 287.5 billion of private funds alleviation in the EU. l
their worth and sustainability, they could be invested in energy
continue to receive lower funding efficiency projects. The Buildings Performance Institute Europe
compared to income and fuel (BPIE) is a European not-for-profit think-tank
price support schemes. A key priority at Member State with a focus on knowledge creation and
level should be shifting price dissemination for evidence-based policy
In the UK, the total budget control mechanism and fuel making in the field of energy performance in
allocated to fuel poverty subsidies to more active and buildings. BPIE delivers policy and advice as
measures dropped by 20% from effective public expenditure well as implementation support. The Brussels-
2008 to 2014 adding to this on renovation measures. But to based institute is the European partner of the
gap in funding. Income support create a reliable basis for policy Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN).
programmes receive the highest making in this field and to provide
share of the budget (70%) additional evidence on the scale To read the full report Alleviating Fuel Poverty in
while only a small percentage and impact of fuel poverty in the EU, consult BPIE’s website: bpie.eu
is allocated to energy efficiency the EU, it is also recommended
measures. The same case about to improve the availability of
funding priorities can be made for statistical data.
Ireland and Greece.
In order to achieve the social,
environmental and energy
goals set by the EU for 2020,
BPIE’s latest report on the issue
recommends to allocate a bigger
share of European funds and
national budgets for renovation
programmes targeting social
housing and neighbourhoods of
fuel poor households. One way of
sustaining measures intended to
alleviate fuel poverty and protect
vulnerable consumers are EU
Cohesion Funds. Thus, energy
efficiency in buildings can be
supported by all three Cohesion
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
FUEL POVERTY
added value or economic growth. Fuel poverty indicators of people at risk of poverty (2012),
In contrast, energy renovations Source: BPIE, based on Eurostat data *Data from 2011
could create an economic lever
and be a long-term answer to Policy financial instruments, Indeed, the data available thus far
fuel poverty by reducing energy especially since most of these proves the existence of patterns
costs and ensuring improved funds are distributed in countries and trends such as the continuous
thermal comfort. Larger scale with the highest number of increase of energy prices
energy efficiency measures can people affected by fuel poverty. concurrent with a lack of growing
create or maintain jobs, reduce It is estimated that €1 euro of household net incomes and a
illness, rehabilitate poor districts subsidy in energy efficiency marginal decrease of energy
and therefore contribute to projects can leverage €9 to consumption per dwelling. All
social inclusion. Results from €12.50 euros of private funding. these factors signal that Europe
implemented energy renovation Therefore, on top of the €23 is moving deeper into fuel
programmes targeting the fuel billion foreseen in the Cohesion poverty. This alone should raise
poor highlight these positive Policy 2014-2020 for low carbon concerns about the lack of a long-
effects. But even if energy schemes, an additional €207- term strategy for fuel poverty
efficiency measures have proven 287.5 billion of private funds alleviation in the EU. l
their worth and sustainability, they could be invested in energy
continue to receive lower funding efficiency projects. The Buildings Performance Institute Europe
compared to income and fuel (BPIE) is a European not-for-profit think-tank
price support schemes. A key priority at Member State with a focus on knowledge creation and
level should be shifting price dissemination for evidence-based policy
In the UK, the total budget control mechanism and fuel making in the field of energy performance in
allocated to fuel poverty subsidies to more active and buildings. BPIE delivers policy and advice as
measures dropped by 20% from effective public expenditure well as implementation support. The Brussels-
2008 to 2014 adding to this on renovation measures. But to based institute is the European partner of the
gap in funding. Income support create a reliable basis for policy Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN).
programmes receive the highest making in this field and to provide
share of the budget (70%) additional evidence on the scale To read the full report Alleviating Fuel Poverty in
while only a small percentage and impact of fuel poverty in the EU, consult BPIE’s website: bpie.eu
is allocated to energy efficiency the EU, it is also recommended
measures. The same case about to improve the availability of
funding priorities can be made for statistical data.
Ireland and Greece.
In order to achieve the social,
environmental and energy
goals set by the EU for 2020,
BPIE’s latest report on the issue
recommends to allocate a bigger
share of European funds and
national budgets for renovation
programmes targeting social
housing and neighbourhoods of
fuel poor households. One way of
sustaining measures intended to
alleviate fuel poverty and protect
vulnerable consumers are EU
Cohesion Funds. Thus, energy
efficiency in buildings can be
supported by all three Cohesion
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
