Developing solutions to fuel and transport poverty challenges

The aim of this project is to address the Delivery Models for Accelerating Net Zero Transition challenge by enabling equitable transitions to low carbon heat and mobility that address fuel and transport poverty, this will be achieved through the identification, co-design and implementation of innovative local energy solutions. 

The project has three key objectives:  

• Review, update and analyse fuel and transport poverty definitions and impacts, especially looking at vulnerable groups or those with protected characteristics.  

• Identify barriers and co-design policies and community-based solutions to fuel and transport poverty. 

• Develop understanding and enable heat-as-a-service to facilitate the transition to low carbon heat and maximise equity. 

Key methodologies include: scoping reviews, comparative policy assessment, household economic analysis and primary/secondary data analysis, including extensive stakeholder engagement and data produced by other Equity and EDRC projects. 

Looking at buildings and transport changes in a net zero transition, focusing on the impacts on people with protected characteristics under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).  

Key emerging findings: 

• People with protected characteristics are more likely to live in flats and to rent, and some groups are more likely to use public transport and have less flexibility in their travel needs.  

• There is a link between certain protected characteristics and low incomes, presenting a greater risk of inequities in home heating and transport use.   

• Non-economic, practical and/or administrative issues may disproportionately affect people with protected characteristics.  

• Non-economic barriers need further recognition in net zero policy. This means policies that go beyond financial incentives and are more flexible, agile, targeted and tailored to different people’s needs.  

• Continue with more detailed analysis of impacts on groups with protected characteristics. E.g. by ethnic minority or disability-type sub-groups. 

• Design and develop engagement activities with identified groups with protected characteristics, to discuss identified barriers/challenges and co-develop potential solutions. 

• Explore Heat-as-a-service, including analysing existing evidence and business models, as a tool to tackle fuel poverty and enable a equitable transition to low carbon heat.