an article by Janice Astbury and Sandra Bell (Durham University, UK) published in People, Place and Policy Volume 12 Issue 1 (2018)
Abstract
The paper adopts a whole systems framework to identify and track efforts by local government and community organisations to address issues of energy vulnerability among residents in an urban borough.
When viewed through the lens of energy justice these activities appear to disappoint or not to reach all types of people they are intended to benefit.
Problems arise in part because the system is fractured, lacking coordination and complementarity, and also because of a failure to account for the multiple and dynamic features of energy vulnerable clients. A whole systems approach combined with a social justice perspective offers a diagnostic tool for identifying ineffective practices and points towards the creation of better integrated and thorough methods for delivering sustainable interventions.
Full text (PDF 18pp)
Showing posts with label fuel_poverty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fuel_poverty. Show all posts
Friday, 19 October 2018
Tuesday, 18 September 2018
Is there evidence of households making a heat or eat trade off in the UK?
an article by Carolyn Snell (University of York, UK), Hannah Lambie-Mumford (University of Sheffield, UK) and Harriet Thomson (University of Birmingham, UK) published in Journal of Poverty and Social Justice Volume 26 Number 2 (June 2018)
Abstract
This paper explores the popular idea of a ‘heat or eat’ dilemma existing for some households. The mixed-methods research finds that there is a relationship between not being able to heat the home and not being able to eat well.
However, it appears that households struggle to do either, and there is considerable nuance in household decisions around energy use.
Qualitative data analysis indicates the importance of energy billing periods, household composition and social and familial networks in terms of shaping household experiences and responses.
The findings challenge the established idea that food and fuel are elastic household expenditures.
Abstract
This paper explores the popular idea of a ‘heat or eat’ dilemma existing for some households. The mixed-methods research finds that there is a relationship between not being able to heat the home and not being able to eat well.
However, it appears that households struggle to do either, and there is considerable nuance in household decisions around energy use.
Qualitative data analysis indicates the importance of energy billing periods, household composition and social and familial networks in terms of shaping household experiences and responses.
The findings challenge the established idea that food and fuel are elastic household expenditures.
Sunday, 31 December 2017
Tenants lose out after landlord pressure halves UK home insulation cap
an article by Adam Vaughan published in the Guardian
Plan to make landlords improve draughtiest homes and boost energy efficiency for hundreds of thousands of tenants lies in tatters, say critics
Landlords must raise their homes’ energy efficiency to at least Band E. Photograph: Alamy
Tenants face missing out on energy bill savings after the government caved in to landlords’ demands by lowering a cap on the costs they face to upgrade Britain’s draughtiest homes.
Landlords must improve the energy efficiency of F- and G-rated homes from next April under new regulations designed to protect vulnerable tenants and cut carbon emissions.
But on Tuesday the government said the costs of the upgrade would be capped at £2,500, half what officials had originally told buy-to-let landlords to expect. The total energy bill savings is put at £337m less as a result.
The government’s own assessment warned that the lower cap means only 139,200 households in England and Wales will benefit from better insulation by April 2020. That is 121,000 fewer than if the cap was at £5,000.
Campaigners and industry groups said the change left ministers’ ambitions of tackling fuel poverty in tatters.
“This could leave a gaping hole in the government’s plans to meet its own fuel poverty targets,” said Richard Twinn, policy adviser at the UK Green Building Council.
Continue reading and try to keep a hold on your temper whilst doing so. I found it hard.
Plan to make landlords improve draughtiest homes and boost energy efficiency for hundreds of thousands of tenants lies in tatters, say critics
Landlords must raise their homes’ energy efficiency to at least Band E. Photograph: Alamy
Tenants face missing out on energy bill savings after the government caved in to landlords’ demands by lowering a cap on the costs they face to upgrade Britain’s draughtiest homes.
Landlords must improve the energy efficiency of F- and G-rated homes from next April under new regulations designed to protect vulnerable tenants and cut carbon emissions.
But on Tuesday the government said the costs of the upgrade would be capped at £2,500, half what officials had originally told buy-to-let landlords to expect. The total energy bill savings is put at £337m less as a result.
The government’s own assessment warned that the lower cap means only 139,200 households in England and Wales will benefit from better insulation by April 2020. That is 121,000 fewer than if the cap was at £5,000.
Campaigners and industry groups said the change left ministers’ ambitions of tackling fuel poverty in tatters.
“This could leave a gaping hole in the government’s plans to meet its own fuel poverty targets,” said Richard Twinn, policy adviser at the UK Green Building Council.
Continue reading and try to keep a hold on your temper whilst doing so. I found it hard.
Wednesday, 14 September 2016
Fuel poverty in the European Union: a concept in need of definition?
an article by Harriet Thomson (The University of York, Heslington, York, UK) and Carolyn Snell and Christine Liddell (affiliations unknown) published in People, Place and Policy Volume 10 Issue 1 (April 2016)
Abstract
The European Commission has stated that it does not support a European definition of fuel poverty, and that a common definition would be inappropriate due to the diverse energy contexts found across the European Union. Using official EU policy documents from 2001 to 2014, this paper will demonstrate that contrary to the European Commission’s stance, many of the EU institutions and consultative committees are in favour of a common European definition of fuel poverty, and have been arguing for the establishment of a definition for at least seven years.
This paper will argue that a definition is vital for raising the profile of fuel poverty and ensuring it is recognised as a policy issue by all Member States of the EU, particularly at a time of rising energy prices, stagnating wages and growing concerns about energy security and climate change.
Full article
Abstract
The European Commission has stated that it does not support a European definition of fuel poverty, and that a common definition would be inappropriate due to the diverse energy contexts found across the European Union. Using official EU policy documents from 2001 to 2014, this paper will demonstrate that contrary to the European Commission’s stance, many of the EU institutions and consultative committees are in favour of a common European definition of fuel poverty, and have been arguing for the establishment of a definition for at least seven years.
This paper will argue that a definition is vital for raising the profile of fuel poverty and ensuring it is recognised as a policy issue by all Member States of the EU, particularly at a time of rising energy prices, stagnating wages and growing concerns about energy security and climate change.
Full article
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