The Commission Energy Poverty and Vulnerable Consumers Coordination Group

In order to provide EU countries with a space to exchange best practices and increase coordination of policy measures to support vulnerable and energy-poor households, in April 2022 the European Commission established a Commission Energy Poverty and Vulnerable Consumers Coordination Group.

The Coordination Group is the main platform for the European Commission and Member States to share information and best practice on the subject of energy poverty, coordinate EU legislation and help to design programmes and policy initiatives in the fields of:

• energy affordability;
• targeted renovation and energy efficiency measures;
• financing schemes at the national level.

Access to energy services is considered an essential part of social inclusion. The European Pillar of Social Rights from 2017 includes energy among the essential services which everyone is entitled to access.

To tackle the issue of energy poverty and support those affected by it, including vulnerable consumers and financially weak households, the Coordination Group:

• shares information on measures to support and empower people in this situation;
• addresses energy affordability at the national, regional and local level, including in the context of the clean energy transition;
• discusses specific issues to identify actions and coordinate solutions in line with EU law;
• addresses and monitors progress on root causes and solutions, including through socioeconomic analysis, and reviewing reports from the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub and the Commission;
• aims to improve the quality and range of data and statistics so that action is based on an informed and up-to-date understanding of the key issues, in cooperation with the Social Protection Committee and Eurostat;
• encourages information sharing, coordinated action and prevention measures in the event of an emergency within the EU.