Energy poverty in Slovakia and its impact on global warming

Energy poverty is a condition in which households cannot afford to maintain a comfortable temperature in their homes. This problem is often caused by a lack of funds to cover energy costs, or when the household's income does not cover its energy expenses, which consequently limits the possibilities for securing basic life needs. In what ways does energy poverty affect the inhabitants of Slovakia and what steps should be taken to solve it? These questions are thoroughly analyzed in the publication of the Prognostic Institute, Center of Social and Psychological Sciences of the SAS.

Within Europe, Slovakia is among the countries with the highest share of energy expenditure in relation to disposable income. These indicators indicate that energy poverty is a problem that significantly affects Slovak society and requires urgent attention and measures. According to the publication "Energy poverty" (Dokupilová, D. (2024). Energy poverty 2024, PÚ CSPV SAV), the situation in Slovakia is currently worrying, and this problem will only get worse if it is not adequately addressed.

It is important to realize that not only the affected households suffer from energy poverty, but the negative effects also affect the entire population. Many residents who do not have enough financial means for heating are forced to use unsuitable materials, such as waste, which not only deteriorate the quality of the environment, but also contribute to the emission of harmful substances into the air. These emission pollutants worsen overall air quality and have a direct impact on the health of all residents, leading to increased health care costs and growing public dissatisfaction.

In addition, the problem of energy poverty is closely related to ecological issues. For example, the lawsuit for air pollution, which was filed in Slovakia and to which the European Court granted the claimants the right, is connected with the use of low-quality fuels and energy-inefficient dwellings. In this way, energy poverty indirectly contributes to the worsening of the climate crisis, as it increases greenhouse gas emissions, thus promoting global warming.

In order to effectively manage energy poverty, it is necessary to adopt a definition of this term, which would define the range of households that would be entitled to receive support. In addition, it is important to implement appropriate compensatory measures for energy-poor households so that their situation can improve. Assistance programs should also be created for households that do not have a serious problem at the moment, but could find themselves in difficulties in the event of unforeseen events, such as job loss.

The overall role of Slovakia in the fight against energy poverty should be linked to the goal of reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, which would contribute not only to the protection of the population's health, but also to a more effective solution to global climate challenges. Reducing energy poverty and transitioning to sustainable energy sources are steps that can strengthen society's resilience to climate change and contribute to securing a more promising future. (Co2AI)