Programme

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Tackling energy poverty for a just transition

09.00-09.30 Opening remarks

Moderated by Baiba MILTOVIČA, TEN Section President, EESC

  • Aurel Laurenţiu PLOSCEANU, Vice-President, EESC
  • Hans VAN STEEN, Principal Advisor to the Deputy Director-General of DG Energy for the Coordination of the Just and Green Energy Transition, European Commission

09.30-11.00 Panel 1 - The REPowerEU Plan, an ambitious solution to alleviate energy poverty?

Moderated by John COMER, TEN Section Bureau Member, EESC

In the particular context of the last year and the war in Ukraine, measures to protect households from energy shortages and high prices have been at the centre of EU policy with the REPowerEU Plan. One year after the start of its implementation, the session will focus on the specific measures of the REPowerEU Plan aimed at combating energy poverty. Speakers will discuss the effectiveness of these measures and their proper implementation and translation in Member States, looking in particular at the potential of increased renewable energy and the role played by local energy communities. In addition, the session will elaborate recommendations to go even further and address future measures after the REPowerEU Plan, accelerating the shift to renewables, tackling energy poverty and ensuring social acceptance.

Speakers:

  • Adela TESAROVA, Head of Unit for Consumers, Local Initiatives, Just Transition, European Commission
  • Eoin KELLY, Energy Policy Officer, BEUC
  • Carlotta FERRI, Vice President, European Youth Energy Network

Debate

11.00-11.30 Coffee break

11.30-13.00 Panel 2 - Stepping up housing efficiency to tackle energy poverty

Moderated by Sandra PARTHIE, INT Section President, EESC

Many European households suffer from energy poverty affecting their homes. In recent years, the costs of housing and essential services (including water, electricity, gas and other fuels) have risen rapidly for European households, further intensified by the current energy and cost of living crisis. Energy efficient renovation of housing could have positive effects on vulnerable households by improving their living conditions, but it could also be the main cause of rising costs. Although housing renovation is the most effective medium to long term solution in view of a socially just energy transition, supply chain problems, lack of skilled labour, rising material costs in construction, etc. threaten energy efficient renovation unless significant additional funds are made available.

Speakers:

  • Massimiliano MASCHERINI, Head of Unit for Social Policies, Eurofound
  • Anna BAJOMI, Policy Officer, European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA)
  • Kieran PRADEEP, Co-coordinator, Right to Energy Coalition

Debate

13.00-14.30 Lunch break

14.30-15.15 Conclusions of EPAH local events (session will be held only in English, without interpretation)

Moderated by Dora BIONDANI, Energy Poverty Advisory Hub

This event session will provide a comprehensive overview of the energy poverty levels, challenges and policies in seven European countries, as a result of national events organised by the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub in Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Local stakeholders will share the key takeaways from the national discussions, including challenges, impact on vulnerable communities and policies and measures in place to address the issue. The session aims to provide a platform for exchange, with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable and equitable access to energy across Europe.

Speakers:

  • Marta GARCIA, Ecoserveis, Spain
  • João Pedro GOUVEIA, Nova University, Portugal
  • Marina VARVESI, AISFOR, Italy
  • Izabela KUŚNIERZ, Polish Network „Energie Cités”, Poland
  • Miljenka KUHAR, DOOR, Croatia
  • Dewi DIMYATI-VLIEX, South East Energy Agency, Ireland
  • Bea LUGOSI, Climate Alliance, Hungary

15.15-16.45 Panel 3 - Mobility and energy – Exploring transport poverty

Moderated by Pietro DE LOTTO, CCMI President, EESC

Energy poverty is a very complex phenomenon, affected by several social vulnerabilities, and recently also associated with a new concept: transport poverty. The term is generally used to describe situations where people do not have access to essential services or work due to a lack of affordable or available transport options. Given common roots, such as low income, old age or disability and regional disadvantage, energy poverty and transport poverty are intrinsically linked and could be addressed with a complementary set of measures aimed at alleviating pressure on vulnerable citizens.

Speakers:

  • Morgane MAYOUX, Project-lead for Clean International Mobility, GCE
  • Alison GILLILAND, Dublin City Councillor
  • Mari MARTISKAINEN, Professor of Energy and Society University of Sussex Business School
  • Yamina SAHEB, Lead author at Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Debate

16.45-18.15 Panel 4 - Energy poverty with a gender lens

Moderated by Judith VORBACH, Member of Workers' Group, EESC

Research has shown that women are more likely to fall into energy poverty due to economic, physiological, demographic and socio-cultural factors. This gender-sensitive approach needs to be reflected in EU policy. The aim of the session is therefore to discuss energy poverty with a gender perspective. The panel will focus on formulating recommendations for integrating gender-sensitive policies in the fight against energy poverty. To this end, speakers will present the main factors affecting women in energy poverty and ways to address them through policy formulation, e.g. longer life expectancy, lower incomes and pensions, lower representation in the labour market, gender-specific effects of climate change. In addition, there is little data available on the effects of energy poverty on women compared to men in the EU. Only a few Member States have adopted definitions of energy poverty and energy poverty indicators, but they are generally not gender-sensitive, which prevents the development of relevant statistics. Therefore, the session will also provide an opportunity to present the preliminary results of the EESC study on gender-disaggregated data on energy poverty.

Speakers:

  • Katharina HABERSBRUNNER, Programme Coordinator, WEC
  • Carlien SCHEELE, Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality
  • Giorgos KOUKOUFIKIS, Project Manager, Joint Research Center

Debate

18.15-18.30 Closing remarks

  • Andrés BARCELÓ DELGADO, President of the Permanent Group on Energy, EESC
  • Baiba MILTOVIČA, TEN Section President, EESC

Participants can speak in and listen to English, French, German and Spanish.

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