Conference on Affordable Energy: Turning civil society views into action

The European Economic and Social Committee is holding the fourth edition of its conference on energy poverty on 26 June in Brussels. This is the follow up event to the EESC's 2021, 2022 and 2023 conferences on "Energy poverty at the crossroads of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Green Deal", "Tackling energy poverty at the heart of the ecological and energy transition" and "Tackling energy poverty for a just transition".

In keeping with this endeavour, the EESC intends to nurture further work, together with its network of stakeholders and partners, on those areas where recommendations are not sufficiently taken into account by the Member States.

In 2024 our annual conference will focus on energy affordability, and look at:

• how to ensure an affordable and stable energy supply for a just green transition, while avoiding the neglecting of vulnerable citizens, households and SMEs by policy makers
• how EU Institutions, Member States and civil society organisations are responding to the increased challenges brought forward by rising inflation, international conflicts and the ecological transition

As a starting point, the conference will examine the significant step undertaken by the European Commission in publishing a Recommendation on energy poverty to the Member States on 20 October 2023. This includes looking at the related opportunities, key action points and upcoming challenges.

The conference will then consider how National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) are effectively putting Europe on track to meet its current targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and switching to renewable energy sources while keeping energy at affordable prices.

Thirdly, the specific situation of groups which are more exposed to exclusion, discrimination and inability to pay energy bills (e.g., issues related to disability, gender, age etc.) will be analysed, identifying best practices to accompany vulnerable people. In this respect the Conference will also discuss access to housing and housing renovation.

In addition, a session will be devoted to the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) and the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), two important partners which will be to report and debate on their endeavours during a dedicated session of the event.