LIFE tackling energy poverty across Europe

Across the northern hemisphere, the nights are getting darker, colder and longer — and millions of people face the challenge of heating their homes. Nearly 500 energy poverty experts gathered in person and virtually for the EPAH International Annual Conference 2024 to explore ways of keeping the heat in. We explore the contributions of two projects – Horizon2020 project CoolToRise and LIFE ReHABITA — which demonstrated how they are helping residents reduce energy bills, stay warm in winter, and cool in summer.  

LIFE ReHABITA aims to reduce the cost and hassle of renovating the homes of those suffering from energy poverty. 5 one-stop-shops have been set up to provide residents with fact sheets, technical support, financial grants, contracts and all the other support they need to insulate and upgrade their homes.  

500 families across Spain, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia and Hungary are already benefitting — by 2027, at least 500 homes will be more energy efficient, creating warmer winter homes for 1 250 people. Not only will this improve their health and wellbeing, but also their bank accounts – with an anticipated 37% reduction in energy consumption per household. Education around better behaviours and ways to save or reduce energy also plays an important role. 

Energy poverty is both a winter and summer issue. This summer was the hottest on record, with devastating heatwaves and extreme weather right across Europe. Despite rising temperatures, around 19% of the total EU population continue to overheat in their homes during the summer months. 

That’s where CoolToRise comes in, aiming to cool the homes of more than 7 240 residents in Bulgaria, Italy, Spain and Greece by focusing on vulnerable households at risk from high and unhealthy temperatures during summer months. Installing air conditioning is not the answer because it increases bills, uses more energy and pumps waste heat into an already-hot atmosphere.  

Instead, residents are encouraged to reduce their energy use using smart plugs, energy-efficient light bulbs and indoor fans. The project runs energy bills workshops for children, women, carers and social workers to raise awareness of summer heat risks. In 2023 a social media heat warning system was launched to alert users when temperatures are due to exceed 35°C and provide advice on dealing with the heat. CoolToRise isn’t limited to indoors, though — local communities have planted trees and installed benches to create cool shady spots and combat the urban heat island effect. 

The theme for this year’s EPAH conference — ‘Turning the Tide: Paving the Way for Energy Poverty Alleviation’ — was apt for the host city, Barcelona, where high levels of energy poverty persist. City authorities are proactively tackling this challenge through sustainability initiatives, comprehensive social services, affordable housing, renewables, green infrastructure and innovative housing solutions. 

These two projects align with the Energy Union Strategy; Energy Performance of Buildings Directive; Energy Efficiency Directive; Moving towards a low-carbon economy in 2050; and REPowerEU.