Addressing energy poverty is a top social policy priority in the European Union, and various initiatives are underway to empower vulnerable households and promote renewables and energy efficiency. The International Annual Conference on Energy Poverty, held on 19-20 September 2023, in ICLEI Member Warsaw (Poland), marked a significant gathering dedicated to combating energy poverty and advancing sustainable solutions at the local level.
During this conference, experts and stakeholders from various sectors convened to discuss critical issues related to energy poverty. Notably, Jurijs Grizans, Officer in Sustainable Energy Planning and Carbon Reporting at ICLEI Europe, shared ICLEI´s experience during the parallel session titled "The role of energy communities: Structural obstacles and benefits for vulnerable consumers." The subsequent discussion delved into lessons learnt from the Sun4All project, with case studies from Lumiar Civil Parish (Portugal) and the Getafe City Council (Spain).
The Sun4All project plays a pivotal role in addressing energy poverty by offering not only financial support but also non-financial assistance. This includes advice on efficient energy consumption, energy management education, workshops on energy rights and energy efficiency, and opportunities to learn about photovoltaic systems and renewable energy, such as through the Sun4All Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing Programme.
As Grizans emphasised, "The current practice shows that many households don't participate in the energy transition for reasons such as lack of access to information, difficulties in accessing financial means, and varying types of house ownership. One of the main goals of the Sun4All project is to engage and empower vulnerable households by showing them that energy communities can help them benefit from renewable energy."
Such initiatives like Sun4All highlight the importance of raising awareness among local authorities and stakeholders about tools and approaches to address energy poverty, which can be a significant barrier to achieving a just energy transition in Europe. Collaboration among cities to share experiences and best practices in engaging and empowering vulnerable households is vital. Sun4All's inclusive approach, tailored financial support, and capacity-building initiatives are key components of its mission to combat energy poverty and promote a fair and sustainable energy transition across Europe.
To learn more and participate in the Sun4All Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing Programme and its upcoming study visits, fill in a contact form or contact info@sunforall.eu
The International Annual Conference on Energy Poverty is organised by the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) and the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) of the European Commission, in collaboration with the City of Warsaw and with support from the Committee of the Regions and the Polish Network Energie-Cités (PNEC).