Energy poverty – from EU directive to municipal practice

The energy sector generates significant greenhouse gas emissions, making energy efficiency crucial for reducing climate impact.

However, the transition may negatively affect social sustainability as some households lack the flexibility to adjust their energy consumption, are already saving to the maximum extent, or lack the resources to invest in energy efficiency.

This can lead to energy poverty, where households cannot meet their basic energy needs and compromising their well-being.

In Sweden, energy poverty has not been a major issue but the 2022 energy price crisis revealed vulnerabilities in many households´ resilience. Additionally, the EU mandates that member states address energy poverty.

Municipalities play a key role in supporting vulnerable citizens, with the municipal energy and climate counseling being an important tool, the demand for which peaked during the energy price crisis.

However, there is a lack of tools and methods within municipalities to support residents and other actors vulnerable to energy poverty.

This project aims therefore to explore how municipalities can assist residents who are vulnerable to or affected by energy poverty, while also contributing to the EU´s requirements.

By combining research and practical application, the project seeks to develop a method that includes various approaches tailored to different target groups. The project is carried out by Eslövs Municipality, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, and Energikontor Syd.