Transcript Intro to integrated approaches to fuel poverty

Developing local fuel poverty
alliances – integrating work
on health and energy
Chris Church
Community Environment Associates
Climate, Energy and fuel poverty
 Climate Change is at the core of all work on energy
and our futures. But there is not much day-to-day
concern, notably in poorer communities.
 Energy is needed by every household – how that
energy is produced, sold and used is a key issue for
creating stronger communities
 Fuel poverty is how energy issues impact on many
communities
Fuel Poverty – a short overview
What is fuel poverty? (1)
The old / standard definition:
When a household has to spend 10%
or more of its income to heat its
home to a reasonable standard.
What is fuel poverty? (2)
This definition is seen as inadequate as it includes high
income households with hard-to- heat homes.
The recent government review by John Hills (LSE)
recommends classifying households as fuel poor if
“they have required fuel costs that are above the
median level; and were they to spend that amount
they would be left with a residual income below the
official poverty line”
This definition is discussed in the new DECC Fuel
Poverty Framework.
Fuel Poverty – the new approach
But...
 The poverty line is defined as having an income below
60 per cent of median once energy costs are taken into
account.
 This ignores some issues around affordability.
 There will always be people under the ‘median’ line:
 so there will always be fuel poverty..
 So why should the Government try and eradicate it?
 “Why not just stick to something everyone
understands?”
UK work to eradicate fuel poverty
The target: “To eradicate fuel poverty as far as
reasonably practical in vulnerable households by 2010
and in all households by 2016”
Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000
The Hills review forecast that in 2016, on current policy
and price expectations, 8.5 million people in 2.9
million households will still be in fuel poverty.
DECC now seem to be looking to manage not
eradicate.
Cold homes...
 Cold homes cost the NHS in England £1.36 billion
every year (Age UK - ‘The cost of cold’ report )
 Each year there are c. 27,000 excess winter deaths,
most among older people and caused by respiratory
problems, strokes and heart attacks due to cold
temperatures.
 Even in relatively mild winters, there are around 8,000
extra deaths for every one degree drop in average
temperature,.
 People living in the coldest homes are three times as
likely to die from a cold-related illness compared to
those in warmer homes.
Cold Homes – Susan’s story
This is about people’s lives:
“My 11-year old daughter and I are currently
moving out of a rented house. The house is
freezing cold, with no draught proofing and
draughty sash windows with huge visible gaps in
the window frames. During the recent cold
weather, ice formed on the inside of the window
each morning.”
Energy efficiency in homes
Energy efficiency in homes
Energy efficiency is how
effective a home is at
using and not wasting
energy
UK Housing Stock
 22 million homes in the UK
 70% are owner occupied
 8.4m homes were built before 1945
 27% of UK carbon emissions
Improving energy efficiency of homes: the
best solution for eradicating fuel poverty
“Our analysis shows that improving the housing of
those at risk is the most cost-effective way of tackling
the problem, cutting energy waste, with large longterm benefits to society as a whole. We need a
renewed and ambitious strategy to do this”
Professor John Hills, Government Independent review
of fuel poverty
The bottom line...
Demand reduction is the key factor both in reducing
fuel poverty and achieving our climate change
targets.
 But different strategies are needed for high-income /
high carbon households and those on lower
incomes.
 Any local strategy needs to target both (and not
use a one-size fits all approach)
 Investment in low carbon energy does not cause fuel
poverty and is an essential part of long-term cost
savings
Getting the measure of fuel
poverty...
Final Report of the Fuel Poverty Review, John Hills
2012:
“Tackling fuel poverty offers a multiple payoff:
better living standards and conditions for
people with low incomes, an improved and
more energy efficient housing stock, fewer
winter deaths and reduced costs for the NHS.”
Improving energy efficiency of homes: the
best solution for eradicating fuel poverty
“Our analysis shows that improving the housing of
those at risk is the most cost-effective way of tackling
the problem, cutting energy waste, with large longterm benefits to society as a whole. We need a
renewed and ambitious strategy to do this”
Professor John Hills, Government Independent review
of fuel poverty
Getting the measure of fuel
poverty...
Final Report of the Fuel Poverty Review, John Hills
2012:
“Tackling fuel poverty offers a multiple payoff:
better living standards and conditions for
people with low incomes, an improved and
more energy efficient housing stock, fewer
winter deaths and reduced costs for the NHS.”
The bottom line...
Demand reduction is the key factor both in reducing
fuel poverty and achieving our climate change
targets.
 But different strategies are needed for high-income /
high carbon households and those on lower
incomes.
 Any local strategy needs to target both (and not
use a one-size fits all approach)
 Investment in low carbon energy does not cause fuel
poverty and is an essential part of long-term cost
savings
Climate change, fuel poverty and
public health
 So how do these issues linked and who
can offer support?
 What are the main issues for the
sector?
 Who are the key players and
influencers?
Fuel Poverty where you live:
Fuel Poverty stats are produced by the Government and plenty
of information exists. Data is available on the estimated total
number of households, the estimated number of fuel poor
households, and the proportion of households in fuel poverty
for Parliamentary Constituency, Local Authority and Lower
Super Output Area (LSOA).
Download a spreadsheet from the DECC website:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/fuelpov_sta
ts/regional/regional.asp.
Data at Census Output Area (COA) level is also available to
users on request, by emailing [email protected].
Who’s there already?
There are various agencies working on
fuel poverty. (Research / google fuel
poverty, energy and your area)
Who do we need to engage?
 Our own organisations?
 Voluntary agencies
 Wider community organisations (faith groups etc.)
 The health sector
 The council
 And?....
Engaging the health sector

Improving energy inefficient dwellings improves health and wellbeing of households, reducing demands on the health sector.
 There have been big changes in public health management. We
now have Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWE) for every area: surely a
logical place for work on fuel poverty?
 A recent Age UK survey shows that only 4% of HWB gave both
fuel poverty and excess winter deaths the priority status that it needs.
 42% of Health and Wellbeing Board strategies failed to mention
fuel poverty or excess winter deaths as an issue.
 Over 75% of HWB Strategies failed to acknowledge fuel poverty
or excess winter deaths as priorities, or have plans in place to combat
issues surrounding fuel poverty within their community.
Local networks
The CVS / RCC
Local council managed partnerships
Environmental networks
Inter-faith work
Healthwatch
And...
Making the links on Fuel
Poverty / Energy Efficiency
 Do the background research – find the other agencies
active (they are there);
 Get the local evidence (e.g. DECC figures)
 Read the local HWB strategy
 Be clear on what you /your organisation can really offer
 Understand others’ reservations
 Those suffering from FP may have little interest in
sustainability / energy policy
So what do we do?
 Find other concerned organisations – build local
support (see the handout for material to use). Who
has direct contact with people facing fuel poverty?
Starting engagement
 Listen! Understand the community and their
concerns
 Start will local concerns – the state of the
neighbourhood may be a good place to start
 Choose an ‘entry point’ to energy / climate issues
(e.g. energy bills, future planning; floods?)
 Set up clear links from their concerns to your
issues
Building local engagement
 A new project or initiative needs to be
planned carefully.
 Objectives and overall aims?
 Resources?
 Targets?
 Partners?
THANK YOU!
[email protected]