On Monday 23 October, the European Commission published a recommendation on energy poverty. It sets out best practice for Member States to tackle the root causes of energy poverty in a structural way. It also includes measures to address the poor energy performance of homes and appliances, as well as information on energy bills, improving energy efficiency and the transition to renewable energy.
The Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, and the Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, presented this recommendation to consumers, regulators, energy suppliers and distributors.
“(The Recommendation) will support Member States in their efforts to combat energy poverty at the national level. It will be particularly important in the context of the updated national energy and climate plans, which the Member States must finalise by next June”, explained Kadri Simson.
In addition to this recommendation, which aims to ensure that the transition to clean energy is “fair and just for all”, the Commission is publishing a working document with suggestions on how the EU budget can be used at national level.
The two Commissioners also attended the signing of the renewed joint declaration by the stakeholders on strengthening consumer protection in winter, launched in December 2022.
“While the situation has improved since last winter, the cost of living remains high and energy prices are still higher than before the crisis. Many consumers, particularly those in vulnerable situations, are likely to find it difficult to heat their homes and pay their energy bills”, Didier Reynders pointed out.
To see the recommendation: https://aeur.eu/f/97c
To see the working document: https://aeur.eu/f/97d (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)