Energy Poverty

Energy poverty is becoming a serious concern in our societies with increasing attention. The presentation of the study "Energy Poverty in Greece: social innovation proposals to address the phenomenon" seeks to contribute to the public debate on the issue in Greece and to the formulation of an innovative social policy combining energy, environmental and social criteria. Friday, 26 May 2017, Europe Direct City of Athens (Akadimias 50, entrance from Solonos str.), 11:00 – 16:00 p.m.

Energy poverty is beginning to be acknowledged worldwide as a social problem of increasing importance and serious impact on the health of millions of people. In the last years in Greece, public awareness concerning this phenomenon is emerging, but neither a clear definition nor specific indicators for monitoring the phenomenon are yet put in place by the responsible authorities. The study published in Greek by the Heinich Böll Foundation Greece contributes to fill this gap. Read the executive summary in english.

Energy poverty constitutes a serious social problem in many European countries with multiple effects both on health and on the overall poverty, and affects more than 100.000.000 European citizens. On Wednesday 29 June 2016, the 2nd workshop took place on “The status of Energy Poverty in Greece and the contribution of green and social innovation to address the problem”. The main objective of the workshop was the exchange of views and ideas with national and EU stakeholders.

A recent study conducted by the European Parliament showed that 36% of Greek households were experiencing energy/fuel poverty during 2013, in other words facing difficulties maintaining comfort conditions in their homes. Heinrich Böll Foundation Greece is joining forces with the social cooperative Wind of Renewal and the Institute of Zero Energy Buildings with the aim of publishing a policy paper on Energy Poverty in Greece and the contribution of green and social innovation to address it