On September 9-10, 2024, a seminar was held in Braga, Portugal, as part of the NetZeroCities project, bringing together representatives from the municipalities of Braga (Portugal), Uppsala (Sweden), and Riga (Latvia). The aim of the seminar was to share experiences and discuss strategies to combat energy poverty, particularly for vulnerable populations. The exchange focused on current initiatives and future solutions that local governments are considering to alleviate energy poverty.
Highlights from the seminar
Ieva Kalniņa, REA’s international project manager and representative of the Life Program REVERTER project, attended the seminar to both learn from and contribute to discussions. She shared insights from the REVERTER project, particularly on the development of one-stop agencies in Riga designed to simplify access to support for residents. Additionally, she highlighted lessons learned from Coimbra, Portugal, which has a climate similar to Braga, making their experiences particularly relevant.
Ieva Kalniņa commented: “The most valuable takeaway from the seminar was hearing firsthand about Braga’s energy poverty alleviation program. The municipality has simplified access to support, which accelerates results, leading to better living conditions and lower energy bills for residents in a short timeframe.”
Key takeaways from Braga’s energy poverty approach
- Link to Environmental Issues: In Braga, energy poverty is closely linked to environmental challenges.
- Health Impact: Energy poverty significantly affects public health, with residents, especially during the winter and summer heatwaves, facing inadequate living conditions due to poor insulation and inefficient heating systems.
- Support Program: Braga’s energy poverty reduction program focuses on household-level improvements, such as window replacements, aimed at making the process simple and motivating for residents.
- Income-Based Assistance: The municipality offers reduced energy tariffs and rental support for low-income households, with rent support covering up to 50% of expenses.
Braga’s climate plan and energy poverty
Braga’s municipality closely monitors energy poverty through health-related indicators, such as mortality rates during cold weather, particularly among the elderly. Their climate action plan includes various development scenarios, mapping out risks like forest fires, droughts, floods, and heatwaves. These risk maps help identify areas most vulnerable to energy poverty, enabling targeted support.
Braga’s energy poverty alleviation program
Established in 2022 in collaboration with the municipal housing company, the program allocates €500,000 annually to support energy efficiency improvements in municipal rental apartments. Households can access €200 in direct support for various upgrades. Key aspects of the program include:
- A streamlined process where program experts assess homes and provide a list of eligible energy-saving activities, such as window replacements, air conditioning installations, and building insulation.
- A pre-approved list of contractors ensures competitive pricing, reliable services, and ease of implementation for residents.
- All contractors must recycle renovation waste, further aligning with sustainability goals.
- The program employs two architects and one engineer who oversee the implementation of improvements.
Success of Braga’s approach
Braga’s strategy stands out for its simplicity and focus on individual household needs. The program provides sufficient financial support to motivate residents to take small but impactful steps toward reducing energy consumption, improving living conditions, and alleviating energy poverty. By offering a clear list of support activities and vetted contractors, the process is both efficient and attractive for residents, making a tangible difference in a relatively short time.
