COLD@HOME, a journalistic investigation of fuel poverty

“There’s nothing left to live on,” says Katerina Nykonyvna after paying monthly energy bills of 1 780 hryvnia. As her pension is just 1 902 hryvnia, it’s a straightforward fact. COLD AT HOME, a web documentary launched this week takes viewers to Ukraine, where the entire population is facing its first winter after gas prices … Continue reading COLD@HOME, a journalistic investigation of fuel poverty →

How energy efficiency upgrades support low-income families

ClickGreen provides a detailed article on a recent study that examined the full range of benefits associated with energy efficiency among low-income homeowners, tenants and landlords. Energy efficiency schemes ease the strain on low-income families, study finds A new study has examined how energy efficiency upgrades support low-income families who bear the brunt of … Continue reading How energy efficiency upgrades support low-income families →

Moving in the right direction in addressing fuel poverty in England

The 2013 annual fuel poverty report for England was released last week. The report analyses data from English Housing Survey to measure the impact of fuel poverty in England. A combination of rising incomes and energy efficiency improvements in low income households has seen a decrease in the fuel poverty gap from £909 million in … Continue reading Moving in the right direction in addressing fuel poverty in England →

Growing number of working families in fuel poverty in UK

The Press Association reports in The Guardian about the level of fuel poverty amongst working families in Britain. Rising energy bills and inefficient housing mean even those in work can’t afford to heat homes, a new study shows. More than a million working households are in fuel poverty More than a million households cannot … Continue reading Growing number of working families in fuel poverty in UK →

The deadly effects of fuel poverty in the UK

Simon Read writes a sobering article in The Independent that each winter, one older person dies every seven minutes from cold weather. Even with a fuel poverty strategy that includes a winter fuel allowance, we are still seeing an impact that is surely unacceptable. Fuel poverty crisis leave one in three pensioners in turmoil … Continue reading The deadly effects of fuel poverty in the UK →

Call for putting low-income households at the heart of Europe’s future policy

While an EU energy efficiency target has been set for 2030, this only means that the work must really start now. While this was written before the Summit that set the target, Simon Read provides an important article in The Independent about the “growing energy divide.” We certainly have a chance to address that. … Continue reading Call for putting low-income households at the heart of Europe’s future policy →

New fuel poverty strategy in UK under attack

While Ministers in the UK set new targets for improving the energy efficiency rating of 'fuel poor' homes, Emily Gosden writes in The Telegraph that there are many campaigners who feel the targets are too loosely defined. Government fuel poverty strategy 'meaningless' and 'inadequate', campaigners warn Government plans to tackle fuel poverty are "inadequate" … Continue reading New fuel poverty strategy in UK under attack →

Concerns in Wales that addressing fuel poverty is falling short

Graham Henry writes in Walesonline about the Older People’s Commissioner of Wales, Sarah Rochira, fears that eliminating fuel poverty by 2018 is unrealistic. Drying toilet paper on radiators and eating only two boiled potatoes a day: Wales will fail to eradicate fuel poverty by 2018, fears Older People’s Commissioner Retaining a target to eradicate … Continue reading Concerns in Wales that addressing fuel poverty is falling short →

New funding to support fuel poverty in Scotland

Scotland has announced more funding for an energy efficiency retrofit scheme that will help address fuel poverty. ClickGreen provides the details. Scottish Government announces £60m energy efficiency programme The Scottish Government has announced a £60 million energy efficiency fund and confirmed plans to permanently take on responsibility for the ECO and Warm Homes Discount … Continue reading New funding to support fuel poverty in Scotland →

New BPIE study: Alleviating Fuel Poverty in the EU

The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) has published a new report that should be mandatory reading for all EiD followers. While the topic comes up regularly, we are getting nowhere to resolving the issue of fuel poverty. As the new BPIE report explains, fuel poverty is a major problem in and for Europe. In 2012, … Continue reading New BPIE study: Alleviating Fuel Poverty in the EU →