Addressing Multidimensional Energy Poverty Implications on Achieving Sustainable Development

Abstract

This study examines whether shifts in the stance of policymaking can account for the observed predictability in excess energy poverty (EP) or fuel poverty (FP) levels. Energy-related poverty is a subcategory of global poverty and can be categorized into accessibility problems related to EP and affordability issues associated with FP, which have a similar but not identical meaning. Furthermore, developed and developing countries have different energy issues, as the former deal with FP and the latter with EP. However, there are discrepancies in EP not only between countries but within counties as well; for instance, there are differences in urban and rural areas too. Difficulties in energy access can be devastating for people living at risk of poverty. Social welfare, although at stake due to the energy crisis sparked at the same time as the warfare in eastern Europe. Renewables and green fossil fuels have price fluctuations, and inflation is also a stress factor in EP. Generally, solutions to EP and FP could be, inter alia, the adoption of renewables, governmental regulation, and supranational support through the green deals and sustainable development goals (SDGs). In short, the inflationary trend disequilibrium and raging war have put Agenda 2030 at stake due to the provocation of sustainability via energy-related vulnerability, insecurity, and poverty phenomena.

Keywords

• energy poverty
• fuel poverty
• multidimensional poverty
• energy vulnerability
• energy security
• inflation