Speaker
Description
Access to energy is now widely acknowledged as not only a fundamental human right but also a key driver of social inclusion and equitable living standards. This concept encompasses not only access to electricity but also reliable, adequate, and sustainable energy to meet basic needs. Energy poverty, in its broadest sense, is defined as a lack of access to energy required to meet needs such as health, education, social participation, and empowerment (Zang, Li and Chandio, 2021). Consequently, energy poverty is not merely a technical issue but also a profound matter of social justice and inclusion. It disproportionately affects vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, exacerbating inequality and social exclusion (Gillard, Snell and Bevan, 2017).
Türkiye’s unique combination of urban and rural contexts, socioeconomic diversity, and energy policy framework offers a distinctive setting for studying energy poverty. Unlike Western countries, poverty in Türkiye reflects a dynamic interaction of socioeconomic inequalities, demographic diversity, and geographical disparities (Işık & Pınarcıoğlu, 2001). Addressing energy poverty necessitates recognizing these local dynamics to develop effective mitigation and elimination strategies. This research provides a framework for understanding energy poverty profiles and stories in Türkiye by examining factors such as consumption habits, coping mechanisms, underlying triggers, and impacts.
Existing studies identifies the lack of universally accepted and locally effective metrics for measuring energy poverty as a significant barrier to addressing this issue. Bouzarovski et al.(2020) emphasizes the importance of understanding the intersections between energy poverty, vulnerability, and justice comprehensively. This study seeks to contribute to a broader understanding and assessment of energy poverty by analyzing the energy characteristics and consumption patterns of households across different demographic groups. It aims to lay a foundational groundwork for future methodological frameworks and research.
As part of the study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with various participant groups, including elderly individuals, families with children, residents of informal settlements, single women, households from different income brackets, students, and recent graduates. Additional interviews with apartment managers, municipal officials, civil society representatives, neighborhood leaders, and community center workers enriched the stakeholder perspective. The findings were analyzed using grounded theory. This research builds on the foundation established in the author’s master’s thesis, which addressed the dynamics of energy poverty in Türkiye, and aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of its multifaceted nature through additional interviews.
Accordingly, findings reveal that energy poverty in Türkiye is a multifaceted phenomenon shaped by income inequalities, household structures, inefficient housing, and other spatial dynamics. Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children, and women, face distinct challenges within this complex narrative, each representing unique sub-stories. The study addresses energy poverty in Ankara through critical dimensions such as energy access, behavioral and spatial variables influencing consumption, and the relationship between energy prices and income levels.
In conclusion, energy poverty in Türkiye is a constellation of interrelated narratives shaped by the intersections of socioeconomic conditions, spatial factors, energy policies, demographic characteristics, and urban-rural disparities. Addressing it requires both holistic and empathetic approach that emphasizes tailored solutions for the unique needs of different groups and different urban areas. This research calls for inclusive strategies that understand the complexity of energy poverty and promote actionable, responsive, and equitable interventions to enhance societal well-being.
References
Zang, D., Li, F. & Chandio, A.A. (2021) 'Factors of energy poverty: Evidence from Tibet, China', Sustainability, 13(17), p. 9738. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/17/9738 (Accessed: 12.12.2024).
Işık, O. & Pınarcıoğlu, M.M. (2001) Nöbetleşe yoksulluk: Gecekondulaşma ve kent yoksulları: Sultanbeyli örneği. İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları.
Healy, J.D. (2003) 'Excess winter mortality in Europe: a cross-country analysis identifying key risk factors', Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 57(10), pp. 784-789.
Heindl, P. (2015) 'Measuring fuel poverty: General considerations and application to German household data', FinanzArchiv: Public Finance Analysis, 71(2), pp. 178-215.
Gillard, R., Snell, C. & Bevan, M. (2017) 'Advancing an energy justice perspective of fuel poverty: Household vulnerability and domestic retrofit policy in the United Kingdom', Energy Research & Social Science, 29, pp. 53-61.
| Keywords | Energy Poverty; Social Inclusion; Energy Justice; Vulnerability |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
