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Policy prescriptions to address energy and transport poverty in the United Kingdom

06 February, 2023

Policy prescriptions to address energy and transport poverty in the United Kingdom

Benjamin K. Sovacool

Mari Martiskainen

Kirsten E. H. Jenkins

Gerardo A Torres Contreras

Neil Simcock

Research paper   FAIR

Benjamin K. Sovacool, Paul Upham, Mari Martiskainen, Kirsten E.H. Jenkins, Gerardo A. Torres Contreras & Neil Simcock

Abstract

Tens of millions of households across Europe struggle to afford adequate electricity and heating services and reliable transportation, while recent high fuel prices could lead to an increase in excess winter deaths. Tackling energy and transport poverty is thus of paramount policy importance. Here we document the drivers and lived experiences of energy and transport poverty in the United Kingdom, based on public focus groups and expert interviews. We find a set of policies that resonate with both expert planners and members of the public, implying they have a level of political and social acceptability that other measures may be lacking, notably: mandatory landlord energy efficiency upgrades, increasing the extent of financial assistance to households, cheaper (or even free) bus and train fares and restarting and expanding bus services. We buttress these findings with further suggestions for energy and transport system redesign that better meets emerging principles of energy and social justice.

Publication details

Sovacool, B.K., Upham, P., Martiskainen, M., Jenkins, K.E.H., Torres Contreras, G.A. and Simcock, N. 2023. Policy prescriptions to address energy and transport poverty in the United Kingdom. Nature Energy, 8: 273–283. doi: 10.1038/s41560-023-01196-wOpens in a new tabOpen access

Banner photo credit: Alireza Attari on Unsplash