(03 February 2021) – 30 million Europeans – the equivalent of Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic’s populations combined – were unable to adequately heat their homes in 2019, according to a report from the Jacques Delors Institute.
The report, published today, called on the European Commission and EU countries to raise awareness of energy poverty and prioritise those struggling to pay their energy bills in the allocation of COVID-19 recovery funds. This is even more important in light of the pandemic, which is likely to have increased the number of people in energy poverty, according to co-author of the report, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin.
The report shows that the problem is worst in southern Europe, where buildings are less insulated against colder weather. Bulgaria, Lithuania, Greece, Portugal and Cyprus are the countries with the highest share of the population struggling to heat their homes.
Many people also experience energy poverty in the summer and are unable to properly cool their homes. This is a particular concern as climate change increases the likelihood and length of heatwaves. (EurActiv)