Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ENPOR (Actions to Mitigate Energy Poverty in the Private Rented Sector)
Reporting period: 2022-03-01 to 2023-11-30
Energy poverty levels remain high in EU Member States due to increasing energy costs and slow progress on energy efficiency improvements. Despite various policies in place that directly or indirectly mitigate energy poverty at the household level, energy poverty is increasing in the private rented sector (PRS). The PRS presents quite specific issues that cannot be adequately dealt with in the framework of energy poverty, linked directly to energy efficiency, such as a) difficulty to identify and quantify energy-poor households in the PRS; and b) the complex delivery of energy efficiency measures to these households due to structural problems like information deficits, split incentives and others. ENPOR's aim has therefore been to overcome both challenges by making energy poverty in the PRS visible and as quantifiable as possible, while testing energy efficiency support schemes to address it.
ENPOR has effectively carried out actions to tackle energy poverty in the PRS through 10 policies in 7 EU countries. Central to these efforts was the nuanced active engagement of stakeholders that identified key groups including landlords, charitable organizations, energy consultants, policymakers, NGOs, and utilities, each contributing uniquely to the project's objectives. Ultimately, the incorporation of these diverse stakeholders ensured that the energy efficiency policies developed, cocreated, and redesigned considered the gender dimension and also resonated with the actual needs and capacities of the targeted groups. This co-creation process was guided by principles like the systems perspective, emphasizing emergent actors, local adaptation, and nonlinearity to make sure that the policies were grounded in human experience and mindful of the decision-making processes, relationships, as well as governance within the energy system. These measures implemented across Austria, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the Netherlands highlighted the project’s adaptability and responsiveness to national contexts. From consulting services in Austria to renovation grants in Croatia and Estonia, each country's approach reflected a deep understanding of local challenges and opportunities in addressing energy poverty. The implementation in Austria highlights the significance of tailoring information and advice to specific target groups. The successful incorporation of figurative language in advisory materials underlines the potential of effective communication strategies. Additionally, the inclusion of translations and the cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Action to enable nationwide adoption showcase the importance of accessibility and stakeholder collaboration. The experience of ENPOR in Germany emphasizes the value of well-designed advisory tools and diverse stakeholder engagement in influencing household behaviors. Strategies such as gamified self-learning activities and visual aids bridge language barriers effectively. However, the complexities of technological interventions highlight the need for flexibility and sufficient resources. ENPOR's focus on inclusivity in renovation grants in Estonia demonstrates a strategic approach to address energy poverty. The commitment to renovate buildings to a C-energy class by 2050 and the challenges presented by individual apartment ownership call for innovative and inclusive solutions. The efforts of ENPOR in Greece in supporting the renovation of buildings and raising awareness through targeted campaigns show promise in addressing energy poverty in the PRS, while emphasis on inclusivity, financial accessibility, and local involvement highlights a comprehensive approach. Croatia's updated programs and data-driven policy formulation offer insights into tackling energy poverty. The importance of transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration with stakeholders are central to the country's progress. Italy's "Italia in Classe A" program demonstrates a proactive approach to combatting energy poverty in the PRS through education, advisory tools, and awareness campaigns. Finally, in the Netherlands, ENPOR supported the successful continuation of measures and diversification of options available to municipalities. The expansion of stakeholders, such as civil society organizations, has enriched the country's multifaceted approach to mitigate energy poverty.
Moreover, the EPD (https://www.energypoverty.info/) and the Split Incentive Quantification Tool (https://www.enpor.eu/the-enpor-split-incentive-tool/) emerged as significant innovations. The EPD, a visual and interactive platform, provides a comprehensive view of energy poverty measures, allowing a varied array of stakeholders to analyse patterns and better inform policy decisions. Meanwhile, the Quantification Tool addresses the misalignment of costs and benefits in energy efficiency investments, offering a practical solution for equitable policy implementation in the PRS. In conclusion, ENPOR, characterized by inclusive stakeholder engagement, innovative tools, and adaptable policy measures, offers a pragmatic blueprint for addressing energy poverty in the PRS. By integrating comprehensive training programs with financial support mechanisms, the project not only empowers citizens through increased knowledge but also provides practical support for renovations, thereby creating a holistic approach to reducing energy poverty in the PRS. The learnings and results of the ENPOR project were disseminated in over 170 policy events, the recordings of which were viewed over 42,000 times, were shared with over 500 and 440 followers on Twitter respectively, resulted in close to 20 scientific and non-scientific publications, 400 news posts, and attracted over 42,000 visitors to ENPOR's website.
Moreover, the EPD (https://www.energypoverty.info/) and the Split Incentive Quantification Tool (https://www.enpor.eu/the-enpor-split-incentive-tool/) emerged as significant innovations. The EPD, a visual and interactive platform, provides a comprehensive view of energy poverty measures, allowing a varied array of stakeholders to analyse patterns and better inform policy decisions. Meanwhile, the Quantification Tool addresses the misalignment of costs and benefits in energy efficiency investments, offering a practical solution for equitable policy implementation in the PRS. In conclusion, ENPOR, characterized by inclusive stakeholder engagement, innovative tools, and adaptable policy measures, offers a pragmatic blueprint for addressing energy poverty in the PRS. By integrating comprehensive training programs with financial support mechanisms, the project not only empowers citizens through increased knowledge but also provides practical support for renovations, thereby creating a holistic approach to reducing energy poverty in the PRS. The learnings and results of the ENPOR project were disseminated in over 170 policy events, the recordings of which were viewed over 42,000 times, were shared with over 500 and 440 followers on Twitter respectively, resulted in close to 20 scientific and non-scientific publications, 400 news posts, and attracted over 42,000 visitors to ENPOR's website.
ENPOR has moved beyond the state of the art in the following ways:
1) Using novel conceptual insights beyond established approaches such as the deficit model and split incentives to emphasize the structural (legal, economic, political and spatial) factors, preventing energy efficiency investment in the PRS, taking into account also landlords’ perspective, awareness and capacity to take action against energy poverty.
2) Focusing on drivers of energy poverty particularly concerning the specific needs of households, beyond mainstream thinking on incomes, prices and energy efficiency, as well as non-economic factors that may prevent moving towards affordable energy services.
3) Reviewing 114 intervention strategies (in the EU and beyond) to advance measures on energy poverty of vulnerable households who inhabit private rented properties.
4) Developing tools to i) reduce split incentives and ii) aggregate data and initiatives on the PRS to help reduce energy poverty within the sector across Europe.
5) Focusing on the redesign of policies using the REACT group methodology to create lasting impact within the sector (over 290,000 households affected by the policies, over 154 GWh of primary energy savings triggered, an annual reduction of 22.6 ktCO2 equivalent/year, an investment of 72.05 million euro triggered for energy retrofits, 17 policy documents influenced, and 7 cases of ENPOR-related replication).
1) Using novel conceptual insights beyond established approaches such as the deficit model and split incentives to emphasize the structural (legal, economic, political and spatial) factors, preventing energy efficiency investment in the PRS, taking into account also landlords’ perspective, awareness and capacity to take action against energy poverty.
2) Focusing on drivers of energy poverty particularly concerning the specific needs of households, beyond mainstream thinking on incomes, prices and energy efficiency, as well as non-economic factors that may prevent moving towards affordable energy services.
3) Reviewing 114 intervention strategies (in the EU and beyond) to advance measures on energy poverty of vulnerable households who inhabit private rented properties.
4) Developing tools to i) reduce split incentives and ii) aggregate data and initiatives on the PRS to help reduce energy poverty within the sector across Europe.
5) Focusing on the redesign of policies using the REACT group methodology to create lasting impact within the sector (over 290,000 households affected by the policies, over 154 GWh of primary energy savings triggered, an annual reduction of 22.6 ktCO2 equivalent/year, an investment of 72.05 million euro triggered for energy retrofits, 17 policy documents influenced, and 7 cases of ENPOR-related replication).