introduction to energy poverty brussels 29.11.11 brenda boardman emeritus fellow eci university of...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to
Energy Poverty
Brussels
29.11.11
Brenda Boardman
Emeritus Fellow
ECI
University of Oxford
UK definition
• A household is in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel to maintain adequate energy services
• Fuel poverty = energy poverty
• Energy efficiency = the cost of achieving energy services, in UK
Possible European definition
• A household is in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than twice the median (as a proportion of income) on energy
• Median, all households = 6%
• Fuel poverty = 12%
• Treatment of housing costs and family size affect who is defined as fuel poor
Affordable warmth
10% of income for all
energy services
Energy efficiency
of the dwelling
24 hour mean
internal temperature
of 18°C(+ other energy
services)
} {
Income + housing
Low income High incomeEnergy
inefficient housing
Energy efficient housing
Fuel poverty by income, UK 2009
DECC Fuel Poverty Statistics, 2011, p29
Characteristics
• Low income
• No savings
• Energy-inefficient homes
• Small households
• A lot of elderly people
Who are the vulnerable?
• Young
• Elderly
• Sick
• Disabled
• 72% of UK households contain a vulnerable person
• To be used in European definition?
Fuel poor pensionersEngland 2006
Over 60 with children others
Over 60
Fuel poor households Pensioner households
19% in fuel poverty
50%
Identifying the fuel poor
Have low income AND poor home
• Social characteristics (eg age)
• Income level (benefit passbook)
• Energy efficiency of the home (audit)
Are never sufficient individually as proxies
Have to combine, preferably last two
Monitoring and doorstep = different
Fuel prices
• Rising long-term• Should the poorest people pay the
lowest price? • Avoid taxation (eg carbon taxes)• Avoid subsidies – no exit strategy• Reverse tariffs – cost goes up with level
of consumption• Market cannot deliver – regulation might
Fuel prices and cost of government policy – 2008/9
RO (UK)
CERT (GB)
EUETS (UK)
Total
Electricity customers
£11 £19 £31 £61
Gas customers
NA £19 NA £19
Total £80
COLD HOMES
WARM PLANET
Additional income x
Fuel price rise (CERT, FIT) x
Direct capital investment in energy efficiency
Policy choices, fuel poverty and climate change
Minimum housing standards
Transforming housing
Local authorities and Warm Zones
• All homes in the area• Funded by the utilities and government• Community approach
• www.warmzones.co.uk/about_us
• www.warmzones.co.uk/newcastle • www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/environment/grants• www.emra.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-planning-transport/
success-stories/nottinghamshire/tackling-fuel-poverty
Low-carbon zones
• One per local authority
• Where fuel poor concentrated
• Ensure every home out of fuel poverty, in A- or B- rated property
• Do street-by-street
• CHP + waste / district heating schemes
Who pays?
• Substantial costs
• At no capital cost to the poor
• Cannot identify the fuel poor
• No need to subsidise the rich
• Through fuel prices?
• Through income tax?
• Property-owner’s responsibility?
Résumé
• Fuel poor are difficult to find• Need comprehensive policies on
incomes and housing• Area-based approach, all homes• Low carbon = super efficient + micro-
generation • Clear strategy with targets and
timescales
