Energy prices & energy poverty in Eastern Europe: realities & perspectives 6-7th July, Budapest

Read the report of the event here (PDF)

In December 2019, the European Commission unveiled its “Green deal” plan for Europe, a new overarching guiding strategy for the European Union, aiming to make the EU climate neutral by 2050. As part of the strategy, the “Renovation Wave” aims to trigger massive renovation in Europe to improve energy performance of buildings and contribute toward achieving climate neutrality. In February 2022, the Ukrainian invasion further boosted the EU’s need for energy independence and the political mandate for a fundamental change of Europe’s energy supply and demand.

Nevertheless, energy independence and increased energy efficiency might come at a social price: vulnerable groups could be adversely affected by these measures unless properly compensated. In particular, the situation is yet to be better assessed for Central and Eastern European member states, which are also most vulnerable regions in terms of energy poverty.

In this context, the Metropolitan Research Institute, Habitat for Humanity International - Europe and the Middle East (HFHI EME), and FEANTSA, organise a study visit and an expert exchange on 6th and 7th July 2022 to better understand the state of play of the possible adverse effects of energy efficiency measures and the energy poverty problems in Eastern Europe in 2022, and how likely it is to be impacted by current European legislation plans and energy prices increase.

PROGRAMME OF THE EVENT

06/07: Study visit

2:00PM: Visit of a housing estate and a multiapartment building complex in the outskirts of Budapest, and meeting with RENO HUB one stop shop for homeowners (tbc).

Dinner

07/07: Exchange of views on energy prices & energy poverty in Eastern Europe.

9:30AM: Introduction

10:00AM: European perspectives

European Commission representative DG ENER (tbc): presentation of the Fit for 55 & its expected impact on energy poor.
Metropolitan Research Institute: Overview of the possible social impact of increasing energy efficiency standards in the region.
Habitat for Humanity International - Europe and the Middle East (HFHI EME): Energy poverty in CEE: challenges & best practices for multi apartment buildings.
Q&A

11:00AM: Break

11:30AM: The social impact of energy prices increases.

Metropolitan Research Institute: Presentation of survey results on energy user behavior in CEE.
Habitat for Humanity Hungary: Energy poverty & solid fuels, state of play and potential tools for analysis
Q&A

12:30PM: Lunch

01:30PM: Panel discussion: What policies to mitigate the social impact? (Speakers tbc)