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Who is vulnerable to energy poverty in the Global North, and what is their experience?

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  • Lucie Middlemiss
Abstract
Energy poverty is a fast rising government agenda in the Global North, and is subject to a substantial academic literature. Energy poverty is experienced when people do not have adequate access to energy services (light, heat, warmth, and cooling) to live a decent life. Plans to transition to a low‐carbon economy in the Global North have raised concerns about the impacts of environmental policy on more vulnerable citizens. A just transition is highly risky for energy poor households, who enter into the transition at a disadvantage. Understanding this starting point is critical in ensuring the energy poor are able to participate in a just transition, and are not subject to further disadvantage. Here, using a realist evaluation approach, I summarize the empirical literature on the experience of energy poverty in the Global North, in doing so characterizing who tends to be vulnerable to this problem, and painting a picture of their life experience. I show how energy poverty links to poverty, and how people from commonly disadvantaged social categories (disabled people, single parents, and people from ethnic minorities) are more likely to experience energy poverty. I describe the homes of people experiencing energy poverty, and their coping practices, as well as outlining the effects of energy poverty on health, social life, and home finances. In conclusion, I point to the weaknesses and gaps in the current literature, and suggest some important avenues of research for the future. This includes bringing energy poverty evidence into more extensive conversation with a just transitions agenda. This article is categorized under: Human and Social Dimensions > Energy and Climate Justice Human and Social Dimensions > Energy Poverty Human and Social Dimensions > Gender Equity

Suggested Citation

  • Lucie Middlemiss, 2022. "Who is vulnerable to energy poverty in the Global North, and what is their experience?," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(6), November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:wireae:v:11:y:2022:i:6:n:e455
    DOI: 10.1002/wene.455
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Gayoso Heredia, Marta & Sánchez-Guevara Sánchez, Carmen & Neila González, Francisco Javier, 2024. "Integrating lived experience: Qualitative methods for addressing energy poverty," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PA).
    3. Juan Armando Torres Munguía & Marlies Hesselman & Inmaculada Martínez-Zarzoso & Ilse Ruyssen, 2024. "Mapping energy poverty measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: A new global panel dataset," Working Papers 2024.04, International Network for Economic Research - INFER.
    4. Alonso-Epelde, E. & García-Muros, X. & González-Eguino, M., 2023. "Transport poverty indicators: A new framework based on the household budget survey," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    5. Middlemiss, Lucie & Stevens, Merel & Ambrosio-Albalá, Pepa & Pellicer-Sifres, Victoria & van Grieken, Amy, 2023. "How do interventions for energy poverty and health work?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    6. Susana Carolina Guzmán-Rosas, 2023. "Strategies Used by Rural Indigenous Populations to Cope with Energy Poverty, in San Luis Potosí, Mexico," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-23, June.
    7. Fry, Jane M. & Farrell, Lisa & Temple, Jeromey B., 2023. "Energy poverty and food insecurity: Is there an energy or food trade-off among low-income Australians?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).

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