As energy prices soar, millions across Europe are at risk of energy poverty, a political issue burdening citizens with the choice of heating their homes or having food on the table. The time to act is now because having access to clean, affordable energy is a human right!
Join us at the Right to Energy Forum as we showcase solutions to tackle energy poverty in Europe.
We’re proud members of the Right to Energy coalition, a group of NGOs, trade unions and social justice organisations who work effortlessly together to provide solutions and answers to tackle energy poverty across Europe.
When: Monday 24 January to Friday 28 January / 14:00-18:00 daily
Where: Online, register at: https://righttoenergy.org/forum-2022/. You’ll be sent the full details and programme once you’ve registered.
What you’ll need: A laptop or computer, internet connection and ideally a headset with microphone. Please email righttoenergy.forum@gmail.com if you require any assistance in accessing the online event.
Who can join: This five-day online event is designed for activists, campaigners, decision-makers, government representatives, and people who work in the environmental/social justice sector who want to explore new ideas and visions for the future of energy poverty on their national or EU level.
Why the time is now to join the energy poverty movement
Right now, energy poverty is making headlines due to skyrocketing energy prices – pushing millions of Europeans to choose between eating and heating. But energy poverty is not a new phenomenon. It’s a structural, intersectional issue that’s been created by an unjust system and years of inaction by national and EU leaders.A social justice issue, disproportionately affecting marginalised groups, as well as a climate issue, with inefficient housing stock that pollutes and wastes energy as one of its root causes.
2022 could be a landmark year for seeing some of the EU’s strategic action plans on tackling energy poverty come to fruition:
In 2020, the EU Commission committed to tackling Energy Poverty in its Renovation Wave strategy.Then in July 2021, the Commission proposed revised energy efficiency legislation (the Energy Efficiency Directive), a new emissions trading system to cover the building and transport sector, and the creation of a Social Climate Fund to provide dedicated funding for Member States to support European citizens most affected or at risk of energy or mobility poverty.
When the energy crisis erupted in the Autumn of 2021, the Commission launched a so-called toolbox on energy prices to tackle the rising costs and combat energy poverty, including a set of short? and long-term measures to alleviate the situation.
All of these new proposals could have profound impacts on Europe’s efforts to tackle energy poverty and on the tens of millions of people who cannot afford to adequately heat or cool their homes. It’s time for the EU to deliver on its commitment of a Green Deal that leaves no one behind. All of these measures will be discussed, and debated in 2022.
January is the ultimate time to take stock and get prepared for the year ahead. The Right to Energy Coalition will be hosting our “Right To Energy Forum” from 24 January to 28 January to inform and galvanise those who want to ensure the movement can build upon its momentum and take tangible action for those with lived experience.
We’re inviting key?stakeholders to share their vision on the future of the energy poverty movement.
What to expect at the Right to Energy Forum
Topics include:
- Energy poverty and climate justice, showcasing the right to energy movement across the EU and explaining why it’s a climate and a social justice issue.
- Addressing the root causes of energy poverty, showcasing renovations and renewables as a crucial solution to tackle energy poverty.
- Towards an energy system for people and the planet, showcasing the need to change the energy system, and exposing how the neoliberal energy market exploits poor households.
- From words to action: Commitments across the EU, showcasing the high-level commitments and actions taken by and in the EU.
- The Next Steps for the Right to Energy movement, how to continue strategising as a movement in the year ahead.
Access the full programme and register for free. And don’t forget to share on social media!
