Energy efficiency for alleviating energy poverty: yes we can!

The current context (economic crisis, energy prices increases) affects more harshly low income households. They face difficulties in many areas (health, employment, etc.) and also with their energy bills. In fact, in countries where fuel poverty is monitored, recent trends show both, an escalation in the number of fuel poor and an aggravation in their situations. Existing literature has emphasised three main causes together with possibilities of action: - income levels --> e.g., direct aid; - energy prices --> e.g., social tariffs; - energy performance of buildings and appliances --> energy efficiency programmes. On short term, direct aid and social tariffs are more effective to help low income households cover their energy burden. However on long term, energy efficiency is more efficient to achieve lasting effects. This paper presents the lessons learnt from four case studies (Brazil, Southern Africa, UK and US) done for the World Energy Council and ADEME. The programmes reviewed were designed for very contrasted situations (urban/rural ; non-OECD countries/OECD countries). Experience feedback includes both: - specific issues reminding that details of implementation should be considered carefully; - general conclusions providing useful recommendations for future programmes. Among these recommendations are the followings: - a core public funding is needed to ensure a continuation in the actions, then a persistence in the results, and to strengthen the confidence of other stakeholders in these programmes to raise additional funding ; - the delivery mechanisms should be a compromise between fairness (higher aids to the most vulnerable) and simplicity (minimising administration costs); - a coordination between a central level (for raising funds and developing technical knowledge) and a local level (for implementation and involving communities --> empowerment) is a success factor.