New report shares how to tackle energy poverty with home energy renovation

A report launched last week by Friends of the Earth Ireland and the Irish Green Building Council provides recommendations to the Irish government to bridge the gap between energy poverty and home energy renovation. 

Energy poverty in Ireland

Energy poverty levels have been at a record high in Ireland since the energy crisis began following the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This has resulted in increased energy costs, and more people experiencing energy poverty. Energy poverty can be experienced when energy costs go above a household’s budget, along with low levels of income and poor energy performance of buildings and appliances. Almost one third of Irish households were reported to be experiencing energy poverty in 2022 .

Those most vulnerable to energy poverty include single-parent households, ethnic minorities, disabled individuals, and the elderly. Experiencing energy poverty can have both negative physical and mental health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Home energy renovations

The new report, “Bridging the Gap Between Energy Poverty and Energy Renovation”, identifies low energy performance of buildings as one of the root causes of energy poverty. Despite an increase in home energy renovations across the country, energy poverty levels have remained high, as those in energy poverty often do not have the resources to access renovations.

The report puts forward a set of recommendations to the Irish government for addressing this gap and making home energy renovations more accessible to those who need it most. 

Recommendations include:

• Improving accessibility and providing tailored information for those in energy poverty through an extensive network of independent energy renovation advisors.
• Placing a stronger focus on aiding vulnerable households and taking a more holistic approach to energy upgrades by reviewing and updating the mandate of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
• Increase funding for energy renovation of social housing & Approved Housing Bodies
• Review funding mechanisms to address energy poverty ensuring they target those who need it most

The report comes just after the European Parliament passed the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, putting an obligation on member states to ensure that financial incentives for energy renovations are targeted towards vulnerable households, and that social housing tenants and those in the private rental sector benefit from energy renovation schemes.