The problematisation of fuel poverty in the UK, Ireland and France: material conditions, definition, policy and politics

•Download as PPT, PDF•

1 like•304 views

The document compares fuel poverty in the UK, Ireland, and France by examining background conditions, policies, and policy responses. It finds that while median incomes are similar, the UK and Ireland have seen higher energy price increases than France. Policies also differ, with the UK focusing on market-based solutions, Ireland using state-based and market instruments, and France emphasizing social policies and local delivery. Ultimately, the realities of fuel poverty are shaped by each nation's unique social and political contexts.

Presentations & Public Speaking

www.cccep.ac.uk
Conceptualisation of fuel poverty in UK, Ireland
and France: material conditions and policy
responses
Niall Kerr, Ross Gillard & Lucie Middlemiss
EU Fuel Poverty Symposium, University of Manchester, 20th
September 2016

Background conditions
Housing stock
UK: old, urban, detached single family homes
Ireland: relatively young, rural, detached single family homes
France: many more apartments, larger rental occupancy
Income
UK/Ireland/France: median income and income distribution very
similar between the three case studies.
Energy prices
UK: prices rising well above inflation, most importantly gas
Ireland: prices rising well above inflation, importantly oil and gas
France: prices rising less quickly, most importantly electricity

Background conditions
Median disposable
income
2010 average
energy bill
% spent on
energy bill
France 18,484 1,166 6.3%
UK 15,900 1,216 7.6%
Ireland 19,591 1,574 8.1%

Policy: Strategy, targets and definition
Definition
UK: 10% of income (absolute) replaced by ‘Low Income High Cost’ (relative)
Ireland: Working definition, moving from subjective warmth and fuel poverty
towards rights and ‘energy poverty’
France: 2010 strategy made fuel poverty distinct from poverty
Strategy
UK: 2x national strategies (2001;2015) - target to ‘eradicate’ replaced by
improving dwelling efficiency standards ‘as far as reasonably practicable’
Ireland: 2016 strategy and establishment of an advisory group
France: ‘Basket’ of measures to capture different demographics of fuel poor

Policy: funding, instruments and governance
Implementation
UK: Emphasis on private actors and market-based instruments
Ireland: State-based and market based instruments
France: Overlap with social policy and localised delivery
Implications
UK: Politicised levies and assumptions about ‘homo economicus’
Ireland: General taxation government accountability
France: Social tariffs and efficiencies of scale

Conclusion
1. The social and political peculiarities of national contexts will
always shape the reality of the lived experience and policy
response
2. Learning more about the different approaches to
problematisation in different countries however, may help to
raise awareness of the issue in places where the problems
associated with living in a cold home are not fully appreciated.
N.Kerr@leeds.ac.uk ; R.O.Gillard@leeds.ac.uk ; L.K.Middlemiss@leeds.ac.uk

This document outlines the objectives and methodology of a study on poverty in England. The study has four main objectives: 1) To incorporate a definition of housing-induced poverty into an existing fuel poverty indicator; 2) To define "fuel-induced poverty"; 3) To establish a methodology to evaluate potential determinants of income poverty, housing-induced poverty, and fuel-induced poverty from a low-income, high-cost perspective; 4) To use a multinomial framework to analyze the risk factors for each type of poverty. The methodology will use data from the 2013/2014 English Housing Survey to classify households by poverty status and evaluate characteristics that influence the different dimensions of poverty.

Interrogating the spatial distribution of fuel poverty measures in England

Harriet Thomson

This document discusses fuel poverty indicators in England and analyzes the spatial distribution of households considered fuel poor under different indicators. It finds that while the new Low Income High Costs (LIHC) indicator reduced the total number of fuel poor households, fuel poverty remains an increasingly urban issue. A regression analysis shows the LIHC indicator more closely associates increases in fuel poverty with non-gas heating and pensioners, while the old 10% indicator associates it more with unemployment and families with young children. The document argues the LIHC fails to represent the full range of vulnerabilities and that a vulnerability-based indicator may be needed.

Fuel poverty of low-income households in Vienna/Austria: Drivers of fuel pov...

Harriet Thomson

This document discusses a study analyzing the drivers of fuel poverty among low-income households in Vienna, Austria using the "energy cultures" framework. The study conducted secondary analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from two previous studies on low-income households in Vienna to identify different energy cultures based on households' energy practices, norms, and material conditions. Preliminary insights found that factors like energy prices and savings knowledge are also important for understanding fuel poverty. The energy cultures approach risks shifting responsibility solely onto vulnerable groups and needs to place more emphasis on improving living conditions rather than just energy saving. Overall it provides a useful lens for examining the multiple factors contributing to fuel poverty.

Vulnerable Homes in England: Application of the Spanish Index of Vulnerable H...

Harriet Thomson

Mobilising Private Sector Capital for CCS in the UK - Dr Angela Whelan at the...

UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre

crown jakarta fraud watch-Whistleblowers: Voluntary energy savings targets me...

Cris Longers

The EU's 2006 energy services directive aimed to cut energy consumption through voluntary national energy savings targets. However, two whistleblowers say these targets were often met through "tricks and abuse" as non-binding targets lacked enforcement. National agencies ignored parts of the directive that were not legally required and used accounting tricks, such as measuring primary rather than actual energy consumption, to falsely report energy savings. With binding targets, there would have been more effort, ambition, and accurate implementation of energy efficiency measures. The lack of binding targets in the 2006 directive meant there was no risk of legal action for governments and less progress on energy efficiency goals compared to other climate policies.

Uk energy strategy going forward towards 2050

Service_supportAssignment

The document outlines the UK's energy strategy towards 2050. It discusses that the strategy will involve a mix of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, tidal, and nuclear to achieve sustainability and affordable energy costs. UK energy costs have risen significantly in recent years, causing payment issues for many. The strategy aims to transition to renewable sources to help control long term costs while reducing the UK's carbon emissions. It analyzes strengths like the early identification of problems, weaknesses like rising costs reducing trust, and opportunities from the UK's geographic resources for renewable energy.

2030 climate & energy framework

Leonardo ENERGY

The European Union has agreed on a new 2030 Framework for climate and energy, which includes EU-wide targets and policy objectives for the period between 2020 and 2030. The targets aim to help the EU achieve a more competitive, secure and sustainable energy system and to meet its long-term 2050 greenhouse gas reductions target as set out in the 2050 Low Carbon Roadmap. The framework was created to communicate to the market a clear commitment by the EU in view of encouraging private investment in new networks and low-carbon technologies. The targets themselves are based on a thorough analysis made by the European Commission that measured how to cost-effectively achieve decarbonisation by 2050. The key targets are: * 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels); * at least 27% of EU energy from renewables in terms of final consumption; * and, at least 27% energy savings compared to business-as-usual.

The Victorian Government submission hearing presented information on the government's support for community energy projects. The key pillars of support include the Victorian Renewable Energy Target auction scheme, new energy technologies sector strategy, and policies to support community power and microgrids. The government actions aim to remove barriers to renewable energy generation and storage, strengthen collaboration and innovation, and provide $20 million in funding through the New Energy Jobs Fund. Examples of supported community energy projects include the Hepburn Community Wind Park Cooperative and Mooroolbark microgrid trial. The role of government is seen as facilitating communities' transition to 100% renewable energy through regulatory reform, guidance, knowledge sharing and a supportive policy environment.

14 Jenkins Fuel poverty policy

(t)ERES research project

UKFPM_2016_FINAL FULL REPORT

Helen Melone

This document provides an overview of fuel poverty policies across the UK from the 1980s to 2015. It outlines key milestones and policies enacted in each UK nation to tackle fuel poverty. These include the establishment of fuel poverty strategies, statutory targets for eradication, energy efficiency programs, and benefits to assist low-income households with energy bills. The document also provides a timeline of major policies and a table outlining the current state of fuel poverty policies in each nation as of 2016.

Keynote for 1st Catalan Congress on Energy Poverty 3rd November 2016

Harriet Thomson

Fuel poverty is a common problem across the EU that affects over 52 million households. It disproportionately impacts southern, central, and eastern European countries due to factors like poor energy efficiency, income inequality, high energy costs, and inefficient housing stock. The document summarizes the author's research on defining and measuring fuel poverty through analysis of EU policy documents and household survey data to create the first pan-EU index of energy poverty severity. It also describes the author's current EVALUATE project that takes a neighborhood-level approach to understanding the drivers of energy vulnerability in post-socialist Central and Eastern Europe.

Offshore renewables in the UK: Funding and developing offshore wind projects

NaturalEngland

Giuseppina Squicciarini, Head of Electricity Policy Wholesale Market, OFGEM

WEC Italia

This document summarizes the key components of the UK's energy transition plan: 1. The Electricity Market Reform (EMR) introduces schemes like Contracts for Difference and a Carbon Price Floor to support investment in low-carbon technologies while ensuring security of supply and affordability. 2. Regulation and markets play an important role in enabling change, with the new RIIO framework incentivizing network investment and future trading arrangements being developed to facilitate an orderly transition. 3. An inclusive, evidence-based process is important to assess the costs and benefits of the transition to a low-carbon energy sector.

Reforming the funding of adult social care in England

Nuffield Trust

The document summarizes the findings of the Dilnot Commission which recommended capping lifetime social care costs at £35K to provide certainty and encourage individual saving. It also discusses possible funding solutions for social care reform as the government has rejected the estimated £3.6 billion annual cost, including using PCT under-spends or increasing the lifetime costs cap to £50K. Real-terms spending on health and social care as well as projections for social care public spending are presented.

The UK Experience

electricitygovernance

The document discusses the UK's experience with clean energy including renewables like biofuels, nuclear power, and carbon capture and storage. It notes that in 2006 renewables generated about 5.5% of electricity while nuclear generated 19%. Strengths included early commitment to renewables and political support, but weaknesses included a lack of coordination between policy, planning, and regulation. Support mechanisms for renewables also lacked effectiveness and led to an uncoordinated growth of small wind farms causing public dissatisfaction.

CCXG Oct 2019 Decarbonization of China's Electricity Sector for the 2° Target...

OECD Environment

The document discusses decarbonizing China's electricity sector to meet a 2 degree Celsius target. It outlines China's national pledges under the Paris Agreement, including peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and lowering carbon intensity by 60-65% by 2030 from 2005 levels. Key targets in China's 13th Five-Year Plan include reducing energy intensity by 15% and carbon intensity by 18% by 2020. The document then examines projections for China's electricity consumption growth and the necessary CO2 emissions levels and generation capacity mixes to meet a 2 degree target. It identifies system flexibility, reliability, forecasting and frequency management as important technological and policy measures through improving coal plant flexibility, encouraging storage, grid interconnectivity, demand response and

Sustainble Energy Regulation Network: a REEEP initiative

electricitygovernance

The document discusses the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), a global partnership launched in 2002 to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency. REEEP comprises over 200 government, business, and NGO partners and is funded by several governments. It supports projects through regional secretariats and networks like the Sustainable Energy Regulation Network (SERN). SERN works to transfer regulatory best practices and supports REEEP's goal of improving access to reliable and sustainable energy.

Abidjan | Mar 17 | National Energy Policy (NEP)

Smart Villages

The National Energy Policy aims to establish a semi-autonomous agency to develop and supply modern energy services to rural areas using renewable resources. It also seeks to provide an enabling legal framework to allow efficient operators to profitably deliver affordable, high-quality energy. The policy separates policy setting, implementation, and monitoring roles. The Rural Electrification Strategy and Masterplan's action plan structures projects under five programs: expanding the grid; building decentralized grids; electrifying rural communities with off-grid solar; promoting efficiency; and building institutional capacity. Key objectives include electrification rates of 10-35% in rural areas by 2030 and using renewables for 75% of generation. A funding gap of $746 million exists to implement

Fact Sheet

Kim Mepham

The Help to Heat scheme provides funding to help vulnerable residents in southern England connect to the gas network and install efficient central heating. Eligible residents currently using expensive electric heating or solid fuels can get their gas connection fully funded. The scheme aims to reduce energy costs and improve health by making homes warmer. Referrals should be made to YES Energy Solutions who assess candidates against criteria prioritizing those on low incomes or benefits and people deemed vulnerable by their local council.

Mayor of London - Warmer Homes

Kim Mepham

Fuel poverty in London affects nearly 400,000 households, with the highest rates in Newham at 19.1%. Excess winter deaths are also a major issue, with over 4,200 additional deaths in London in 2017/18 attributed to cold homes. Several programs aim to address this, including Warmer Homes which provides grants up to £4,000 for insulation and heating measures, and has helped over 1,100 homes so far. The Warmer Homes Advice Service also supports households at risk of fuel poverty. Collaboration with Disabled Facilities Grant managers could further reduce fuel poverty, winter hospital admissions and excess winter deaths.

UK support for energy in developing countries 2010-14: Pie charts and graphs

CAFOD

Advanced Codes

Alliance To Save Energy

Building energy codes can significantly reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector by making new buildings more efficient. The Alliance to Save Energy advocates for legislation to set national energy savings targets for building codes. Their proposal would direct states to adopt updated national model building codes or equivalent standards to meet targets, and provide federal support and enforcement to improve state and local compliance. If states and localities fail to meet targets, the federal government would enforce code requirements directly. The proposal aims to fully utilize building energy codes as a cost-effective strategy to address national energy and climate change needs.

Carolyn Snell - Heat or Eat: food and austerity in Rural England

Harriet Thomson

This presentation is based on a project aimed at exploring the theme of food and austerity through the lens of one of the most high profile, yet under-evidenced, phenomena in the current era of austerity: the decision to ‘heat or eat’. There is increased policy discussion about households having to make stark choices between ‘heating and eating’ and the driver of this phenomena is perceived to be the relative flexibility of food and fuel costs compared to other household expenses. However, the evidence base that exists is largely made up of single household case studies and small scale surveys conducted by NGOs, and is rarely the central focus of the research in which it appears. Moreover, existing evidence pays little or no attention to spatial disparities within such debates, largely ignoring the very different, and often more challenging circumstances faced by the rural poor, including disparate and more stretched public services, a limited and energy inefficient housing stock, and restricted access to cheaper forms of fuel such as mains gas. With support from National Energy Action and the Trussell Trust foodbank Network this project will scrutinise the ‘heat or eat’ dilemma in a rural context, investigating the legitimacy and complexity of such claims, and critically assessing existing and potential policy responses.

UK support for energy in developing countries: Infographics

CAFOD

Climate Change Levy (CCL) Guide For Business

Indigo Swan

Sam Kimmins - RE100

OECD Environment

Session 2 - Energy Affordability in Moldova, by Ina Cretu and Rafal Stanek

OECD Environment

Research trends in energy studies and insights about energy and society

Harriet Thomson

The value of experience: including young people in energy research

Harriet Thomson

This document summarizes a study that involved youth in energy research. A collaborative youth research group in a New Zealand high school conducted workshops and installed dataloggers to measure temperature and humidity in schools. They found that fuel poverty affects youth's school performance, health and mental health. A survey of youth found that many experience cold homes in winter. The study highlights that youth want more government action on cold housing and fuel poverty issues. Involving youth in research on issues that affect them is valuable as it allows their perspectives to be included.

What's hot

Presentation vic government submission ce inquiry slids only

Scott Hamilton

14 Jenkins Fuel poverty policy

(t)ERES research project

UKFPM_2016_FINAL FULL REPORT

Helen Melone

Keynote for 1st Catalan Congress on Energy Poverty 3rd November 2016

Harriet Thomson

Offshore renewables in the UK: Funding and developing offshore wind projects

NaturalEngland

Giuseppina Squicciarini, Head of Electricity Policy Wholesale Market, OFGEM

WEC Italia

Reforming the funding of adult social care in England

Nuffield Trust

The UK Experience

electricitygovernance

CCXG Oct 2019 Decarbonization of China's Electricity Sector for the 2° Target...

OECD Environment

Sustainble Energy Regulation Network: a REEEP initiative

electricitygovernance

Abidjan | Mar 17 | National Energy Policy (NEP)

Smart Villages

Fact Sheet

Kim Mepham

Mayor of London - Warmer Homes

Kim Mepham

UK support for energy in developing countries 2010-14: Pie charts and graphs

CAFOD

Advanced Codes

Alliance To Save Energy

Carolyn Snell - Heat or Eat: food and austerity in Rural England

Harriet Thomson

UK support for energy in developing countries: Infographics

CAFOD

Climate Change Levy (CCL) Guide For Business

Indigo Swan

Sam Kimmins - RE100

OECD Environment

Session 2 - Energy Affordability in Moldova, by Ina Cretu and Rafal Stanek

OECD Environment

What's hot (20)

Presentation vic government submission ce inquiry slids only

14 Jenkins Fuel poverty policy

UKFPM_2016_FINAL FULL REPORT

Keynote for 1st Catalan Congress on Energy Poverty 3rd November 2016

Offshore renewables in the UK: Funding and developing offshore wind projects

Giuseppina Squicciarini, Head of Electricity Policy Wholesale Market, OFGEM

Reforming the funding of adult social care in England

The UK Experience

CCXG Oct 2019 Decarbonization of China's Electricity Sector for the 2° Target...

Sustainble Energy Regulation Network: a REEEP initiative

Abidjan | Mar 17 | National Energy Policy (NEP)

Fact Sheet

Mayor of London - Warmer Homes

UK support for energy in developing countries 2010-14: Pie charts and graphs

Advanced Codes

Carolyn Snell - Heat or Eat: food and austerity in Rural England

UK support for energy in developing countries: Infographics

Climate Change Levy (CCL) Guide For Business

Sam Kimmins - RE100

Session 2 - Energy Affordability in Moldova, by Ina Cretu and Rafal Stanek

Viewers also liked

Research trends in energy studies and insights about energy and society

Harriet Thomson

The value of experience: including young people in energy research

Harriet Thomson

Mapping energy poverty in Athens in the context of crisis

Harriet Thomson

This document discusses a study that mapped energy poverty in Athens during the economic crisis using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative macro-level analysis involved producing maps using statistical data on building stock, energy consumption, household income, and anti-poverty policies. The qualitative micro-level analysis consisted of 23 interviews conducted in 13 apartment buildings using snowball sampling to understand energy deprivation's spatial implications. The overall goal was to understand how energy deprivation manifested in urban space and identify appropriate methodological tools for addressing the problem in Athens during the crisis context.

Energy Affordability in the EU: The Risks of Metric Driven Policies

Harriet Thomson

This document discusses the risks of using metrics to drive energy policies in the EU. It finds that new EU member states spend a much higher share of expenditures on energy compared to older members. It also determines that a single EU-wide definition of fuel poverty is inappropriate given variations between member states. Additionally, the position of low-income households differs in each country in terms of energy expenditures.

Energy Poverty Policies at EU Level - Mission Impossible: The Bulgarian Case

Harriet Thomson

The document discusses Bulgaria's policies for addressing energy poverty at the EU level, including a proposed minimum heating standard. It provides a timeline of key Bulgarian policies from 2005-2022 and details of existing programs like the heating allowance and social electricity tariff. It also analyzes the coverage and effect of current policies, proposing a minimum heating standard of 4,000 kWh per household to help more people. This is intended to increase support for energy efficiency improvements over direct cash payments.

Community and communication: Exploring energy advice narratives across formal...

Harriet Thomson

This document discusses exploring energy advice narratives across formal and informal contexts. It discusses the researcher's previous work and reflections that have informed the research, including experience providing energy advice. The document notes that there has been limited academic, political, and policy attention paid to energy advice to date. It aims to give voice to householders' and consumers' perspectives, as well as trusted advisors. The researcher plans to study energy advice in formal advice organizations, informal settings, and online to uncover perspectives missing from previous research and approaches.

Energy poverty related to the type of heating – Macedonia as a case study

Harriet Thomson

This document summarizes a study on the relationship between energy poverty and type of household heating in Macedonia. It reviews literature on definitions and indicators of energy poverty, focusing on how they relate to heating type. The study interviewed 11 households with different heating sources (district heating, fuelwood, electricity, or a mix) about aspects of energy poverty. Key findings include: 1) Lower indoor temperatures and reduced heating of rooms indicate energy poverty for households relying on electricity and fuelwood heating. 2) Some non-district heated households use fuelwood/electricity due to lack of access to alternatives like district heating. 3) Satisfaction with heating type varied, with mix-fuel households least satisfied due to comfort and building issues.

Fuel poverty in post-industrial regions on the example of Silesian voivodeship

Harriet Thomson

This document presents results from a study on fuel poverty in two regions of Poland: Bytom and Katowice. It finds that 62.9% of households in Bytom and 55.3% of households in Katowice experience fuel poverty. The study examined consumers' energy-saving behaviors and found residents of Katowice were more likely to engage in behaviors like turning off lights and unplugging chargers when not in use. It also analyzed differences in household characteristics between the two regions such as income sources, living situations, and openness to switching energy suppliers.

Students and Fuel Poverty: The Neglected Demographic?

Harriet Thomson

The document discusses a study on fuel poverty among university students in the UK. The study found that while most students do not consider themselves fuel poor, many experience problems paying energy bills and employ strategies to stay warm like wearing extra layers of clothing. The study surveyed 286 students on their housing and energy experiences. It found that most students rent housing that is not energy efficient and prioritize low rent over other factors like energy efficiency. The study recommends future work to address the disconnect between students' perceptions of being fuel poor and the reality of their experiences, and to raise awareness of the issue among students and housing providers.

Tenants facing energy poverty: a cross-country analyses with a focus on the s...

Harriet Thomson

The document analyzes energy poverty among tenants in France, Hungary, and Italy. Tenants face higher risks of energy poverty than homeowners. While France has established a national observatory and programs to support energy efficient renovations for social housing and landlords, Hungary rarely mentions energy poverty in strategic documents and subsidies are only for homeowners. Italy estimates energy poverty at 8-20% for tenants, but support varies regionally. Potential solutions discussed include an EU definition of energy poverty, collecting tenant data, targeting EU funds, national policies and subsidies, incentives for landlords, and local energy projects.

Introducing household energy inequality across income levels: Evidence from CEE

Harriet Thomson

This document discusses household energy inequality across income levels. It notes that there are widespread inequalities in domestic energy consumption patterns globally and between socioeconomic groups. While global energy consumption disparities and access to energy services have been explored, domestic energy-related inequalities between households requires more examination. The document presents data on trends in domestic energy expenditures and energy burden across income deciles in Spain from 2007-2014, which increased for lower income groups during an economic crisis. It also shows data on different energy poverty indicators versus income levels in Hungary in 2011, challenging common assumptions.

An urban political ecology approach of domestic energy deprivation situations...

Harriet Thomson

This presentation discusses the author's PhD research on the construction of energy vulnerability situations in Spain and Portugal using an urban political ecology framework. The economic crisis in these countries has exacerbated energy deprivation due to previous urban development processes that created socio-material conditions for energy vulnerabilities. The author draws on urban political ecology to study these vulnerabilities at multiple scales, from national narratives to the household level. National energy transition strategies in Spain and Portugal increased energy costs without protecting vulnerable consumers, disproportionately impacting those living in less energy efficient housing and dependent on electricity. Energy vulnerability is contested through social movements with different responses emerging in Portugal, Catalonia, and Barcelona.

Living under domestic energy deprivation in Brussels: when your life become a...

Harriet Thomson

This document summarizes a qualitative research study on energy poverty in Brussels, Belgium. It describes the context of high rates of poverty and lack of affordable housing in Brussels. The study involved interviews with 18 people experiencing energy deprivation. Those interviewed described feeling like their lives had become an endless series of applications and files to manage across different social and energy assistance programs. This "file feeling" created stress and depression. There was a lack of clear and centralized information on assistance options. While programs exist to help, questions remain about their efficiency and visibility for those most in need.

Exploring energy poverty in Greece: Evidence from primary surveys

Harriet Thomson

This document summarizes the results of three primary surveys on energy poverty in Greece. It finds that the Greek population is highly exposed to energy poverty, especially in mountainous areas, where over 45% of residences face heating problems and 85% have no thermal insulation. There is a strong correlation between energy poverty and low income, cold climate, and cutting back on other expenses to pay for energy. The surveys provide documentation of the crisis's effects, including a 30-40% drop in household income and 200% fuel price increases. A national policy is needed to address barriers to sufficient energy access.

The two faces of energy poverty: Can we talk about energy need in transport s...

Harriet Thomson

This document discusses energy poverty related to transportation costs. It proposes using a normative approach to define transportation energy needs and measure mobility energy burden. A case study of Strasbourg, France found that working households were more prone to car dependence while non-working households were less affected when using a normative method with dynamic thresholds compared to a real costs method with fixed thresholds. Further validation on other case studies is needed to better distinguish vulnerable households and consider soft transportation modes and intermodality.

Energy & water-poverty in Barcelona: A political-ecology perspective

Harriet Thomson

This document discusses energy and water poverty in Barcelona from a political ecology perspective. It aims to understand the social problems around resource use, why some policies have not succeeded, and who is affected. The methodology includes participant observation, surveys, interviews, and action research with an anti-poverty alliance. Both water and energy are considered basic utilities necessary for households. Political ecology looks at the social and political conditions surrounding environmental problems. In Barcelona, privatization of utilities, lack of social policies, and issues across governance scales are at the core of the problems.

Identification of vulnerable homes from the fuel poverty concept: indicator a...

Harriet Thomson

This document presents a study on identifying vulnerable homes from the concept of fuel poverty. It introduces an Indicator of Vulnerable Homes (IVH) that assesses homes based on economic, energy, and comfort indicators. A case study applies the IVH to analyze a home's vulnerability level in summer and winter based on the tenants' quality of life. Sensitivity analysis shows how vulnerability is affected by the number of occupants, family type, and energy consumption. The study contributes a new perspective for identifying vulnerable homes and aims to improve citizens' quality of life through better energy policies.

Fuel poverty variation in rural/urban areas and regions in Poland

Harriet Thomson

This document analyzes fuel poverty variation between rural and urban areas and regions in Poland. It finds that 9.6% of households in Poland experience fuel poverty according to the Low Income High Costs indicator. Fuel poverty is especially prevalent among inhabitants of detached houses in villages, old blocks of flats in cities, and post-state farms, as well as retirees and pensioners in rural areas. There are also regional differences, with some areas having fuel poverty rates close to 20% of households while others are closer to 40% of households. Socioeconomic factors contribute more to these regional fuel poverty differences than building features.

"Heat as Medicine" - The Keeping Warm With Sickle Cell Disease Project

Harriet Thomson

Sickle cell disease is more common in people of African, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean origin. Cold temperatures can trigger sickle cell crises, with symptoms like pain in wrists and knees. The study explored the heating needs of those with sickle cell disease and found that being cold indoors or outdoors often led to crises requiring hospitalization. Maintaining warmth through adequate heating helps prevent crises but many face fuel poverty due to the financial impacts of sickle cell disease on education, employment, and welfare benefits. Ensuring access to affordable heating could help reduce hospital admissions and overall healthcare costs for sickle cell disease treatment and management.

Energy monitoring as a tool for understanding and reducing fuel poverty

Harriet Thomson

This document discusses a case study of a project that monitored energy use to understand and reduce fuel poverty. A resident with £1,000 of debt and no heating in winter was identified. Their faulty meter was replaced, their debt was written off by the council and reduced by £600 through a charitable trust grant. The project aims to identify and help fuel poor residents by understanding energy use and dealing with debt issues.

Viewers also liked (20)