Energy Poverty and Income Inequality

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past decade, civil society organisations and the scientific community have exerted sustained pressure on the EU policy agenda to address energy poverty, which affects around 17% of the population. This issue has far-reaching consequences for public health systems, the environment, labour productivity, education, social cohesion, and overall well-being. Given its complex and multidimensional nature, the current energy crisis has drawn significant attention from policymakers, researchers, and industry experts seeking solutions to mitigate energy poverty at global, European, and national levels.

Viewing income inequality as a contributing factor is particularly relevant in the current context, which is marked by the risk of a major global economic downturn. During financial crises, income disparities tend to widen amid slowing economic growth and rising unemployment, especially among low-income groups. Income inequality also affects energy poverty indirectly through its impact on economic growth. Policies that simultaneously reduce income inequality and stimulate economic growth can help alleviate energy poverty. Moreover, income inequality can distort energy markets, limiting access to essential energy services for disadvantaged groups. Greater inequality is also associated with poorer housing conditions and reduced financial capacity to cover heating and electricity costs.

On the other hand, energy poverty exacerbates inequality through its negative effects, including economic vulnerability, health issues, diminished well-being, and environmental degradation caused by practices such as deforestation.

We invite researchers to contribute original research articles and comprehensive reviews that address challenges related to energy poverty–income inequality nexus. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Impact of income inequality on energy poverty;
• Multidimensional energy poverty: integrating income distribution and social vulnerability;
• Energy justice and income inequalities in modern economies;
• Household income disparities and energy access;
• Policy responses to energy poverty under increasing income inequality;
• Targeting energy poverty: the role of income redistribution policies;
• Household energy vulnerability in low-income regions;
• Renewable energy adoption and income inequality: impacts on energy poverty;
• Energy poverty, income inequality, and well-being: a socioeconomic perspective;
• Energy deprivation and social inequality: household-level insights.

Prof. Dr. Mihaela Simionescu
Prof. Dr. Olimpia Neagu
Topic Editors