Kerr, N, Gillard, R and Middlemiss, L orcid.org/0000-0001-5185-2033 (2019) Politics, problematisation, and policy: a comparative analysis of energy poverty in England, Ireland and France. Energy and Buildings, 194. pp. 191-200. ISSN 0378-7788
Abstract
Energy poverty, as a social and political issue, is at different stages of development across Europe. Originating in the UK, it is rising up many European political agendas, driven by a range of concurrent issues including: economic recession and inequality, low carbon energy transitions, and changing consumption demands. This article presents analysis of three national approaches to energy poverty in Europe; England, Ireland and France. In comparing these cases, we show how each defines and measures energy poverty differently and how this affects the selection and functioning of different policy solutions. We draw on the conceptual separation of multiple streams theory (politics, problems and policy) to assess the shape of energy poverty on the political agenda of each nation. We consider the political context of each nation and show how energy poverty overlaps with other agendas such as: welfare reform, energy market liberalisation and climate change. We review each country’s approach to defining the problem of energy poverty focusing on how the issue is delineated and measured. In each case, we show how there has been recourse to two broad types of policy solution: subsidising energy costs and improving the efficiency of the housing stock. Our analysis reveals interesting similarities (e.g. in the use of affordability and efficiency policies) and differences (e.g. in the versatility of definitions) in addressing the significant levels of inequality in access to energy services among the populations of these three Western European countries.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019 Elsevier B.V. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Energy and Buildings. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Energy poverty; multiple streams; problematisation; France; England; Ireland |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 12 Dec 2018 16:45 |
Last Modified: | 04 Apr 2020 00:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.04.002 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:139705 |
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