Policies to tackle energy poverty: the case of Portugal

Addressing energy poverty and protecting the most vulnerable consumers have assumed a vital role in national and European energy and climate policies. Access to energy is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development due to its impact on multiple dimensions such as poverty, inequality, climate change, food security, health, and education. At the same time, decarbonization and efficiency of energy consumption are essential to achieve the ambitious climate targets assumed by Portugal and the European Union. This paper characterizes energy poverty in Portugal and presents the main policy instruments that have been implemented or are in progress. Sharing national experiences and good practices in combatting energy poverty is relevant due to the challenges in designing effective policies and because several EU countries are currently strengthening their policy frameworks. The need to accelerate the ongoing energy transition on a global scale requires a robust policy framework, also targeting energy-poor and vulnerable consumers, thus ensuring a fair and just transition.