Did you know that 19% of the total population of the EU is unable to keep their homes comfortably cool during summer?
Traditionally, energy poverty has been associated with the inability of households to meet their heating needs during the winter months, a problem exacerbated by low household incomes, high energy bills, and low dwelling energy efficiency. However, nine of the ten warmest years have occurred since 2005, with the last five years comprising the five hottest, showcasing the urgency of addressing summer energy poverty. Climate change is not only increasing the severity and frequency of extreme hot weather and heat waves but also negatively impacting human health and wellbeing. This reality necessitates the inclusion of cooling needs and overheating risks in the broader energy poverty equation.
In response to this growing concern, an H2020-funded project has been carrying out targeted activities in four EU countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and Spain. This initiative, known as COOLTORISE, aims to raise awareness about summer energy poverty and stimulate a reduction in energy use during the hottest months of the year. Over the past three years, COOLTORISE has actively engaged with policy makers, stakeholders and vulnerable families to improve indoor thermal habitability and reduce energy needs during the summer, thereby decreasing exposure to heat and heat-related health risks.
One of the main goals of COOLTORISE, is to raise awareness among local authorities across Europe, and provide insights on how to create efficient energy plans that address the needs and concerns of low-income households. As a result, a policy brief series has been published throughout the project’s lifecycle.
This first brief is titled “COOLTORISE: Recommendations on How to address Summer Energy Poverty in Public Policies” and it provides key policy design guidelines for various stakeholders at local and national level, aiming to take an in-depth look at summer energy poverty and identify effective strategies to combat it.
Transitioning from recognising an issue, such as summer energy poverty, to effectively implementing strategies to address it poses a significant challenge in both private and public sectors. This policy brief aims to close the gap between awareness and actionable steps, offering a roadmap for initiating policies to combat summer energy poverty. While some awareness and understanding of the issue have been established, this document also seeks to explore the topic in greater depth, capturing its full complexity and nuances.
The policy brief is structured into three sections: [a] Improving accuracy and quality in summer energy poverty measurement, [b] Assessing the impact on wellbeing conditions and urban scale, and [c] Evaluating health impacts. Each section includes a diagnostic subsection followed by specific recommendations. These recommendations can assist policymakers and energy experts working with local authorities to develop better strategies and effectively address summer energy poverty.
The second policy brief, titled “Why should we stop seeking energy savings in summer energy poverty policies? health and thermal comfort matter”, focuses on the main issue that needs to be addressed when dealing with summer energy poverty. This is the request for achieving energy savings and lower costs as proof that the policies are effective. The main problem in this reasoning is that vulnerable households that experience summer energy poverty are already using less energy than needed and the margin for even higher reduction is very limited and not representative of solving the problem.
Instead, COOLTORISE proposes a new perspective, valuing not only consumption reduction but also the improvement in households’ overall wellbeing, namely health and thermal comfort. This policy brief is structured on three areas: [1] Energy consumption vs. the thermal comfort in energy poor households, [2] Increasing health impacts of heat waves in the Mediterranean basin, [3] Proposals for measuring the improvement of energy-poor wellbeing and health.
Drawing from the experience and insights gained from the development of the projects that contributed to this policy brief, this document offers a concise overview of the current understanding regarding comfort and consumption conditions in homes affected by energy poverty during summer. Unlike other energy and housing initiatives that typically assess outcomes based on energy savings, projects focused on alleviating energy poverty necessitate a distinct evaluation method. This approach prioritises not only the reduction of energy consumption but also the enhancement of overall household wellbeing. The document provides evidence-based recommendations on implementing policies and realizing the anticipated impacts of funded projects to ensure appropriate adaptation strategies for populations experiencing energy poverty.
The third policy brief was recently published, right in the finish line of Cooltorise. The title is “Manifesto for the improvement of our neighbourhoods and their adaptation to heat. Reflections and proposals for municipal policy makers from the perspective of energy poverty”. The topic captures the views and experiences of citizens, particularly those facing energy poverty during hot weather. By engaging directly with these communities, the project sought to understand the challenges they encounter due to high cooling needs and to devise strategies to address them. This collaborative effort has resulted in a set of recommendations designed to assist municipal policymakers in implementing fair and effective solutions to combat summer energy poverty. The aim is to help local authorities create policies that ensure vulnerable populations have access to necessary cooling resources.
This document acts as a detailed guide for preparing urban areas to handle rising temperatures, drawing from three years of project insights and community feedback. A key part of the process was a dialogue with residents, focusing on how neighbourhoods can better adapt to extreme heat. The result is a collection of proposed measures, divided into five main areas: [a] Increasing green spaces and vegetation, [b] Adding humidification and water elements, [c] Improving shading and ventilation, enhancing pedestrian pathways, and [d] Encouraging community activities in designated climate-friendly spaces. The policy brief serves as a valuable tool for municipal leaders, providing them with actionable strategies to reduce the impacts of heat on vulnerable residents.
In a nutshell, the main goal of the COOLTORISE project is to reduce the impact of summer energy poverty in the participating countries, by improving their indoor thermal habitability conditions, and reducing their energy needs during the hot season. This will decrease their exposure to heat and heat-related health risks. As a result, the project has generated multifaceted impacts, spanning social, economic, environmental, and political domains. The social impact, particularly, stands out as a cornerstone of the project, fostering community building, family empowerment, and enhanced social inclusion.
Overall, the COOLTORISE initiative has laid a strong foundation for continued efforts to combat summer energy poverty. Its success can serve as a model for future projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and promoting sustainable practices. The lessons learned throughout the project’s implementation highlight the importance of tailored approaches and community involvement in driving effective change.
