STEP published its first set of policy recommendations outlining 13 ways to tackle energy poverty.
These recommendations are particularly relevant in the context of the implementation of the Clean Energy for All Europeans package (relevant provisions on energy poverty are also available in the Results section).
In a nutshell these are the measures STEP stands for:
- Introduce a comprehensive Energy Poverty Strategy
- Ensure coherent and consistent national dialogue on energy poverty issues
- Adopt an inclusive definition of energy poverty
- Establish an Energy Advisors’ Network
- Designate energy efficiency as an infrastructure priority
- Provide social security support for energy expenditure of low-income households
- Enforce Minimum building energy performance standards
- Avoid regressive effects
- Apply policies to address high fuel prices
- Provide cheaper energy via district heating and cooling
- Strengthen protection against disconnections
- Secure access to renewables, including for tenants and those living in Multi-Family Houses
- Proactively support establishment of non-profit CECs (citizen energy communities) /RECs (renewable energy communities)
STEP partners promote these policy recommendations with their national/local authorities.
If you are interested in more details on policies to address energy poverty, please, get in touch. We look forward to hear from you if you find these recommendations useful in your work.