Mr Dimitris Papantonis and Ms Dimitra Tzani , Research Associates in the Technoeconomics of Energy Systems laboratory (TEESlab), published a new blog article entitled “Energy poverty in Athens: a socio-spatial perspective”. The article is published in the context of the activities undertaken by the Enpor Project.
The article focuses on the phenomenon of energy poverty as a global issue caused by a complex interaction of several variables (such as rising energy prices, high unemployment etc.) and the repercussions on a social, environmental and financial level. The societal challenge of energy poverty and energy vulnerability in Greece is further analysed. In particular, emphasis is given on the case of Athens, the biggest city in Greece, where a significant number of homes have been unable to meet their energy needs for heating, cooling, lighting, or cooking since 2010.
In addition, the blog highlights the ”Athens Social Atlas” project, an important effort aiming at qualifying and quantifying energy-poor households in the city of Athens. More specifically, seven maps were created regarding the residential sector of the Municipality of Athens by acquiring and expanding primary data on the characteristics and uses of buildings, family incomes, energy consumption, and enacted policies against energy vulnerability. According to the maps, there are specific areas where the concentration of low-income groups and devaluated buildings is higher, that living conditions are deteriorating, and problems are significant. Programmes for tackling energy poverty, such as the program of the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Social Solidarity, are also described.
Lastly, the article points out the necessity of reforming the existing energy-poor support schemes in Greece in order to be appropriately customized to the needs of vulnerable groups. To this purpose, ENPOR aims at launching and encouraging the replication of 10 energy efficiency policies, with Greece being one of the pilot countries.
?You can read the full article here.
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