by Martino De Mori
About 47 million EU citizens can’t afford to heat their homes, with high material costs and poor financing options blocking renovations. But the impact of energy efficiency goes beyond just savings. “Public support for housing upgrades is vital to European democracy,” experts warn. “Without it, we risk losing key parts of the social fabric.”
Seven new buildings, advanced technological solutions for energy savings, lower consumption, reduced utility bills, and increased property values—but above all, a new perspective for those living in the neighborhood. The Via Boito district in Trieste, Italy, is undergoing a deep renewal aimed at making energy efficiency a tool for inclusion and democracy. The initiative, a collaboration between the ATER Institute and the European project SUPERSHINE, seeks to address the functional obsolescence of a high-density residential area populated by low-income families, while improving residents’ quality of life and fostering their engagement in public life, with energy as a driver for bottom-up democracy.
“Access to affordable energy is crucial for promoting fairness and democracy,” emphasizes Cristina Davi, manager of Ater Trieste. A key part of this process is the involvement of citizens in shaping interventions, she explains: “Asking people what they need is making a difference. That’s how we discovered that, instead of parking lots, the residents of Via Boito wanted spaces with green paths and educational panels to teach their children about biodiversity and environmental respect.” Scheduled for completion in 2026, the reconstruction work in Trieste is not only improving the energy efficiency of buildings but also fostering a more inclusive and cohesive community. Here, promoting greater equity and a sense of belonging begins by ensuring access to essential services like affordable energy.
According to 2023 Eurostat data, energy poverty is one of the most pressing challenges in Europe, with as many as 47 million people unable to keep their homes warm or cool enough. Driven by rising inflation and energy costs, the fight against energy poverty is now a priority in European policy and the UN’s 2030 Agenda and could prove decisive in promoting social equity and democratic participation. Pilot projects like the one in Trieste could serve as exemplary models, explains Alice Pittini, Research Director at Housing Europe and head of the European Social Housing Observatory: “Due to rising energy prices, covering energy bills has become particularly challenging for low-income households in 2022 and 2023. Public support for energy rehabilitation is therefore crucial for European development and democracy, as it can significantly impact the well-being of people and communities. Without these measures, we risk losing important parts of the social fabric.”
The 2023 report “The State of Housing in Europe” reveals that approximately 35% of the EU building stock is over 50 years old, and around two-thirds of it is energy inefficient. This is why buildings are responsible for about 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. The main challenges to reverse this trend and improve energy efficiency lie in the cost of materials, a shortage of skilled labor, and, above all, a lack of sufficient funding and more flexible financing systems. Charlotte Vailles, a Research Fellow at the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE), highlights that “as of 2023, in spite of public aid, most households are unable to invest in low-carbon solutions. The out-of-pocket costs – for energy retrofits or the purchase of an electric car- can be counted in years of income for low- and middle-income households. Financing these investments face in particular the obstacle of the debt capacity of households. Expected energy savings could be considered when providing a loan or financing.” Pittini echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for “targeted tools proportional to the needs and capacities of households.” “Measures should aim at income redistribution and improving housing quality for all social groups, while ensuring environmental sustainability,” she adds.
Strategies to democratize access to credit for low-income households are outlined by Paola Zerilli, Associate Professor at the Department of Economics at the University of York, Coordinator of the SUPER-i Project and Scientific Coordinator of both the SUPERSHINE and SUPER-i projects, which support financing energy renovations in European social and affordable housing sectors. Alongside Trieste, its approach will be also demonstrated in Herning, Denmark, and Riga, Latvia, and further developed in more so-called “fellow cities”.“The principal areas that need addressing are firstly the high initial investment cost which is generally prohibitive. We can mitigate this barrier by focusing on small, targeted interventions rather than full-scale renovations of entire apartments or buildings. To support these costs, we need to encourage stronger collaboration between social housing institutions, energy companies, and financial actors so that they can share the investment risk and eventually the return on investment.” Another critical issue is the lack of information available to potential beneficiaries of these programs. To meet this need and contribute to a model which promotes inclusion and democracy, Trieste is setting up so-called “One-Stop Shops.” Created through collaboration between Ater and the SUPERSHINE project, these physical and online information points will provide advice on how to optimize energy savings, improve the energy efficiency of the buildings, and access suitable financing tools for retrofitting.
“What consistently emerges,” comments Paola Zerilli, “is that the financial and health benefits for citizens far outweigh the costs. People often do not realize the difference that investing in energy efficiency can make.” Cristina Davi, who witnesses it every day, confirms: “Access to affordable energy is not just a technical issue, but a fundamental right which enables everyone to live with dignity and actively participate in community life.”
Photo credits: Thomas Rainero
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