This report analyzes the phenomenon of Energy Poverty from various aspects, following the established RSE approach of “Recognize” – “Understand” – “Mitigate” – “Combat”.

From the perspective of “recognize,” which involves defining the extent of the phenomenon in society, two main issues are considered: the impact of increasingly frequent “summer heatwaves” and thus the inability to have adequate cooling systems, and the implications for health. Energy Poverty has traditionally and historically been identified mainly with inadequate heating of homes. However, due to the effects of climate change and evolving family behaviors and needs, it becomes necessary to extend the focus to overall building climate control.

The first part of the report summarizes RSE’s estimates from 2020 regarding the phenomenon of Energy Poverty: about 15% of Italian households would be forced to incur expenses that fall into the condition of Energy Poverty to maintain a “medium” level of comfort (20°C in winter and 26°C in summer) in their homes. The characterization of these households is further explored through a comparison with the characteristics of users receiving Social Bonuses, in order to “understand,” i.e., “place” these households in the “real world” and understand their habits and needs, also in relation to the use of means to “mitigate,” such as Bonuses.

To “combat” and eradicate the phenomenon, it is necessary to fully analyze its implications. A correlation between Energy Poverty and health is demonstrated, with an increased probability of contracting respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The second part of this report includes a study of the city of Turin, extending the analysis from the previous year (2020), and further extends to the case of the Piedmont region, with the future goal of replicating the analysis across the entire nation. Frequent hospitalizations also entail additional costs for the National Health System: therefore, the costs of energy renovation of homes are compared with the (avoidable) costs incurred by the National Health System for treating the considered diseases. This comparison helps to understand which operations, in terms of cost-effectiveness and energy savings, can “combat” Energy Poverty effectively, finding long-term solutions that provide a double benefit: on one hand, improving user comfort, also related to their health, and on the other hand, pursuing ambitious decarbonization goals for 2030 and 2050 through renovation.