The unprecedented crisis of 2022 made countries in Europe, and in particular in the CEE/SE region even more vulnerable to energy poverty. According to a recent analysis by European Environmental Bureau on gas and electricity saving measures adopted by EU states, the governments of CEE countries have achieved less energy demand reduction than Western European countries.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the question of energy and (in)dependence of Russian gas has amplified the need to reduce gas demand on the EU side by incentivizing faster energy efficiency improvements and encouraging behavioural changes among consumers. This session aligns with current interests of the EU and offers a perspective to address energy poor living in the multi-apartment buildings that are most represented in the CEE/SE region.

This webinar will be an opportunity to look back at the past winter in the Central and Eastern and Southern European (CEE/SE) region focusing on energy prices, affordability, and the comfort levels of homeowners. We will discuss the current risks and possible solutions to protect vulnerable groups from higher bills in the coming winter.

Who will attend? Practitioners working in the field of residential energy efficiency and energy poverty, policy makers, government/municipality representatives from CEE/SE, consumer organizations, homeowners, practitioners from regional, international and EU institutions.

Why attend? This webinar will offer participants the possibility to learn more about the topic and to contribute and shape the discussion. Through 3 presentations and based on Bruegel’s recent report, we will capture how governments reacted to the energy crisis; and share concrete learnings from the past winter from the CEE/SE region. Next, panelists will discuss the challenges created by energy poverty from various perspectives, including homeowners, local and national governments. The discussions will lead to concrete recommendations for further measures to address energy poverty of people living in multi-apartment buildings.

Speakers: Vivian Dorizas (BPIE), Giovanni Sgaravatti (Bruegel), Alice Corovessi (INZEB), Hanna Szemzo (Metropolitan Research Institute), DG ENER (TBC).