10-02-2022
Researchers at the Center for Research in Environment and Sustainability (CENSE) at NOVA School of Science and Technology are scientifically coordinating the Ponto de Transição pilot project, which will be operating in Setúbal between February 17 and June 30, 2022.
The project seeks to help in the eradication of energy poverty of Portuguese households with a first pilot phase taking place in Setúbal and under development across various fronts:
- AN INFORMATION POINT: in a reused shipping container located next to the 2 de abril marketplace in the parish of São Sebastião, in Setúbal, with a team of technicians available from Monday to Friday (across different timetables*) to provide every type of information regarding the best ways to improve domestic thermal comfort standards, including cutting energy costs (electricity and gas), improving the energy efficiency of homes, advice on the financing available for such purposes as well as assistance in completing applications;
- PROXIMITY ACTIONS: free energy evaluations of homes and the identification of opportunities for improvement.
- EMPOWERMENT: Training will be provided in basic energy related concepts, energy accountancy, the levels of energy consumption by household appliances and best practices in the utilisation of energy, to a set of citizens selected from the local community, who will subsequently serve as a team of Transition Agents.
This initiative, which aims to be replicated later in other municipalities in the country, wants to contribute to a fairer energy transition, and to reduce the impacts that energy poverty has on the population.
Portugal is the fourth highest country in the European Union in terms of the percentage of its population reporting an inability to heat their homes in winter and rising to second place for experience uncomfortable homes in summer. The lack of thermal comfort stems from a combination of factors among which stand out low incomes, the high cost of energy and the poor energy performance of the housing stock. This also affects the health of Portuguese citizens – a fifth of the population live in homes with infiltrations, leaks and humidity problems that may cause respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma. We should note that Portugal records excess mortality rates in winter far higher than countries in the north of Europe like Finland and Sweden.
The “Point of Transition” is an initiative of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in partnership with ENA – the Energy and Environment Agency of Arrábida in conjunction with CENSE, and the RNAE – the Association of Energy and Environment Agencies, with collaboration from Setúbal Municipal Council and the Parish of São Sebastião (Setúbal).
More information here
