Why we need to address summer energy poverty in public policies

The existing body of literature on energy poverty predominantly concentrates on cold climates, leading to a plethora of information on coping strategies for chilly conditions. Conversely, there is a notable lack of insights into addressing challenges related to heat, particularly in the context of effectively cooling homes during the summer months. This imbalance arises due to the distinct nature of the drivers behind summer energy poverty when compared to those in winter. Factors such as building conditions, urban heat, the availability of cooling systems, socio-economic conditions, and the impact of climate change, all contribute to an elevated incidence of energy poverty during the summer months, particularly in households within the Mediterranean region.

Moreover, the escalating occurrence of climate change-induced extreme weather conditions, such as heatwaves, is well-documented. Reports and studies, including those from reputable sources such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), consistently emphasise the anticipated significant impact of these extreme events on public health. In urban environments and densely populated areas, the challenges posed by these weather events are further compounded by the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This phenomenon exacerbates extreme temperatures in city centers, placing an additional burden on the population during heatwaves.

In light of these considerations, there is a pressing need to broaden the discourse on energy poverty to encompass the unique dynamics of summer challenges, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse factors contributing to vulnerability in different climatic conditions. This inclusive approach will facilitate the development of targeted and effective policies to address energy poverty, promoting resilience in the face of increasing temperatures and climate-related threats.

Some initiatives and measures that have been developed recently can guide the way that summer energy poverty approach should be incorporated in European policies.

The European Commission’s recommendations on energy poverty,  published in October 2023, identifies summer as a factor to take into account when dealing with comfort and energy poverty. Besides, some European projects have also at its core the phenomenon. For instance, the Cooltorise project is performing targeted activities in 4 EU countries to raise awareness on summer energy poverty and stimulate a reduction in energy needs and increase of thermal comfort during the hottest months of the year. EPAH is also supporting municipalities that want to tackle summer energy poverty such as Valencia. The Spanish city is receiving a technical support to train municipal workers on summer energy poverty and the design of better strategies to adapt and prevent heat effects.

To thoroughly examine these occurrences and suggest effective strategies for addressing summer energy poverty, the Cooltorise project released a policy brief, also presented by Carmen Sánchez-Guevara, Cooltorise project coordinator during an interview the last EPAH conference in Warsaw.

The brief advises that policy development should acknowledge the underlying cross-cutting structural factors driving energy poverty, including during the summer. Therefore, it would be crucial to enforce the comprehensive monitoring of housing conditions, health policies, urban space, energy access, employment and income, as well as climate change. The latter should be considered as a factor that informs present and future summer energy poverty. To effectively approach the significant issue of summer energy poverty, it would be advisable to implement its direct measurement by means of new primary indicators rather than relying solely on secondary ones. It would be essential to characterise summer energy poverty based on lived experiences and ensure that it ceases to be overlooked in Europe. Policy design should actively consider these nuances and incorporate targeted measures to address the unique challenges faced during the summer months. To enhance policy design, the establishment of a framework reflective of the variations between different territories would be highly recommendable, encompassing the comprehensive mapping of lived experiences and initiatives addressing summer energy poverty. At the same time, this framework should aim to foster connections and collaboration across local, regional, national, and international levels. Facilitating knowledge sharing and leveraging best practices would assist policymakers in developing more context-specific and effective strategies to tackle summer energy poverty.

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