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The role of EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network) in developing policies to adress fuel poverty

Learn about the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) and its efforts to combat fuel poverty through policy development and initiatives at the EU and national levels.

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The role of EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network) in developing policies to adress fuel poverty

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  1. The role of EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network) in developing policies to adress fuel poverty Ludo Horemans President of EAPN

  2. I. EAPN in a nutshell

  3. Who is EAPN? • Independent EU Network of NGO’s and organisations committed to fight against poverty and social exclusion • Started in 1990 – key actor in development of EU Social Inclusion Strategy (social OMC) • Receives financial support from the European Commission = PROGRESS • 26 National Networks and 28 European NGO’s as members

  4. EAPN Key Objectives • To put the fight against poverty and social exclusion on the political agenda of the European Union – ( EU Year 2010 for combatting poverty and social exclusion and EU 2020) • To promote and enhance the effectiveness of actions against poverty and social exclusion • To lobby for and with people and groups facing poverty and social exclusion

  5. II. How EAPN adresses fuel poverty?

  6. Why fuel poverty is a key issue for EAPN? • A fundamental attack on basic human rights to a decent life • Serious effects of fuel poverty for people experiencing poverty : deteriorating health, cycle of debt, cut-off and eviction) • A big concern about the impact of privatization and liberalization on people experiencing poverty : rise in prices, billing practices, lack of consumer information • No common european definition of fuel poverty : only few members states have a definition or a defined strategy • Lack of social rights approach and stakeholder involvement in the debate • The national action Plans on fuel poverty : an open door for promoting an integrated approach at the national level

  7. A need for an integrated approach • Tackling the problem of fuel poverty require to adress its 3 main causes : • Low Household Income • High and rising costs of fuel • Lack of Energy Efficiency • Other important factors : • Bad housing conditions • Different household occupation and consumption patterns • Regional/National Climatic Variation

  8. III. EAPN initiatives at the EU & National Levels

  9. EAPN Initiatives at the EU level • Response to the Commission’s consultation over a European Charter for Energy Consumer’s Rights and join campaign with EPSU (European Federation of Public Service Unions) • In 2008, Third Energy Package : close work with the European Parliament to develop proposals on Energy Poverty and better consumer rights as part of the Report on the rules for the internal market in electricity • In september 2008, lobby campaign with CECODHAS and AGE in support of a Parliament Declaration on Energy Poverty • Lobby initiative towards the European Commission for a better acknowledgement of energy poverty as part of the social OMC • Energy poverty was a theme in the 7th and 8th European Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty (2008 – 2009)

  10. Initiatives from EAPN National Networks • EAPN Belgium : • Working group « Energy and Poverty » with people experinecing poverty since 1996 • Gatering experiences / reacting to bad practices  policy proposals for new measures • 10 demands • A free minimum supply package enabling a decent life • A policy of owner liability for quality (insulation) • Increase opportunities for energy efficiency, including for people experiencing poverty • Protected customer category: anyone living on benefit

  11. Initiatives from EAPN National Networks EAPN Belgium : • A free budget meter for everyone available on demand • No total disconnection: a guaranteed minimum to live a decent life • Energy consultation: working out solutions together • Agencies that work for customers  offices that are physically accessible to the public at a reasonable distance  an independent mediation service • Take the situation of poverty into account before applying penalties (get a social welfare service involved) • Member States to make use of public service obligations

  12. Initiatives from EAPN National Networks 2) Scotland : Poverty Alliance • Participation in the Fuel Poverty Forum which brings together social and environmental NGOs, local governements, energy industries • Aims : Assess the former fuel poverty programme and develop the new fuel poverty programme Energy Assistance Package (April 2009) to ensure a broader access to electricity and gaz by : • Advicing people on isolation (for everyone) • Awarding special grants and loans for isolation (roofs…) • Widening criteria for benefiting the fuel poverty programme (families under social assistance, families with a child under five years old, disabled child…) • A work with Energy Compagnies on prepayment meters : short campaign to encourage Energy Companies to adjust meters to really take into account the evolution of energy prices.

  13. Initiatives from EAPN National Networks 3) EAPN Luxembourg Following the liberalisation of the energy and gaz markets, campaign to : • Include in the National Action Plan a provision that a minimum supply of electricity is a basic right, especially in the case of indebtedness and overspending. • Introduce in Luxembourg law a fundamental right to access to electricity and gaz for a basic use (in the draft law on social aid currently in discussion)

  14. IV. Recommendations

  15. EAPN Recommendations 1/2 • Affordable access to Energy and other basic services as a fundamental Right • The development of national actions plans to fight fuel poverty with delivery and implementation monitored through the OMC on social protection and social inclusion (with the development of more appropriate indicators for measuring fuel poverty ans inclusion as part of the National Strategic Reports). • An EU integrated approach to face fuel poverty dealing including fair princing , energy efficiency and ensuring an adequate minimum that implies the setting up of a cross-cutting working group in the Commission • Ensuring that the Energy Charter on Consumers’ Rights will be legally binding

  16. EAPN Recommendations 1/2 • Members States should guarantee affordable access for all to essential services through measures such as regulated princing regimes, guaranteed acess to a minimum package of services and prohibition of cut-offs • The involvement of stakeholders including low-income users in the design, delivery and evaluation of policy solutions • An EU study on fuel poverty (extent, causes and impact on different targets groups) • An EU-level evaluation of the impact of the liberalisation and privatisation of SGI (including social services, on the quality, accessibility and affordability of services) • An EU framework for SGI to make sure that essential rights are to be guaranteed

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