The ‘People-Powered Plan’ report published on Monday 18 December by the NGO network Climate Action Network Europe and the Right to Energy Coalition, which brings together civil society actors in the fight against energy poverty, criticises the current system, which it says is dominated by fossil fuels and geared towards profit. The report highlights the impact of rising energy costs on inequalities and health.
The document points out that in 2022, 9.3% of the EU population were not able to heat their homes adequately, compared with 6.9% the previous year.
This increase, influenced by Covid-19, the economic repercussions of the war in Ukraine and the rise in energy prices, calls for urgent reforms. The document proposes improving the energy efficiency of housing, investing in renewable energies and regulating energy prices.
In addition, the report stresses the need to provide immediate support for the most vulnerable, with measures such as a ban on energy disconnections, the expansion of social tariffs financed by the profits of energy suppliers and better social protection for vulnerable tenants and homeowners.
It suggests taxing the profits of energy companies to fund measures to support households and investment in long-term solutions to energy poverty.
This approach aims to guarantee access to clean, affordable energy as a fundamental right.
The report: https://aeur.eu/f/a6x (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)