Author: Oikoplus

In 2018, we founded Oikoplus in Vienna. At that time, we had gained experience in scientific project work, in journalism and in classic advertising agencies. In doing so, we had the feeling that an interface was missing that specifically connected the communication needs of researchers with the skills of communication solution providers. This interface is…

Energy poverty is a significant problem in Poland. Before the pandemic, it affected 12% of Poland’s inhabitants. In 2020, the number increased to 21.4%. According to analysts, it was aggravated by job losses and falling wages, especially among people with the lowest and middle income.

Ireland’s Energy Poverty Strategy estimates that the rate of households experiencing energy poverty in the country falls between 8.8 – 28%, depending on whether this is based on self-reported inability to heat or derived from modelled expenditure and building energy rating data (DCENR, 2016).

In Belgium, more than one household in five is affected by energy poverty (20.7% of Belgian households in 2019). This value has not varied significantly since 2009. However, there are strong differences between the regions.

A series of interviews conducted with citizens and stakeholder organisations shows how people experience energy poverty and also the institutional support offered to affected households in seven European countries.

Since the beginning of the year, international energy prices have been rising rapidly. At present, the price increases for gas and electricity are huge.

One of the EnergyMeasures partners is the Het PON & Telos Foundation from Tilburg in the Netherlands. The foundation works with a team of around 30 multidisciplinary researchers on social issues for local and regional governments in the Netherlands.

When the temperatures drop, it is particularly noticeable in one’s own four walls. Having a warm home can be expensive, even more so in the current economic situation of rising energy costs.