New article on BUILD UP: Healthy homes for all: challenges and lessons learnt on supporting energy-poor households

Introduction

As the EU intensifies its climate policies, low-income households living in inefficient homes or relying on outdated technologies are disproportionately affected. Energy poverty, a pressing socio-economic challenge that affected over 9.2% of Europeans (about 41 million in 2024 according to the European Commission), may further intensify. Energy poverty is acknowledged to be the result of low-income, high-energy prices, and poor energy efficiency in homes, i.e. poor insulation or inefficient heating and cooling systems and appliances. Τo address energy poverty – which, beyond financial hardship, undermines health and well-being – it is essential to combine immediate relief measures, such as social tariffs and income support, with long-term structural solutions, notably energy efficiency upgrades. The latter provides a more sustainable response by reducing energy demand and supply costs, while supporting a fair and inclusive green transition across Europe. 

The EU’s policy framework has put this effort at its core. However, enabling vulnerable households to live in energy-efficient homes is a complex challenge that demands sustained and coordinated effort to make it a reality rather than an aspiration. This technical paper analyses the challenges and lessons learnt based on behavioural science literature and by drawing on evidence from the EU LIFE-funded project REVERTER, which aims to alleviate energy poverty through the deep renovation of dwellings occupied by vulnerable households. Its guiding belief is simple but powerful: energy poverty is not inevitable, and vulnerable households can become active participants in the energy transition by recognising that deep renovation must be seen as a social right.