Fixing Fuel Poverty: Challenges and Solutions

Description

Since its publication in the early 90s, Brenda Boardman's Fuel Poverty has been the reference text for those wishing to learn about this complex subject. In this, its successor, she turns a critical eye to the new millennium and finds that the situation, while now more widely recognised, is far from having improved. The book begins by discussing the political awakening to the issue and exploring just who constitutes the fuel poor. It examines the factors that contribute to fuel poverty - low incomes, high fuel prices and poor quality housing - and looks at and evaluates the policies that have been employed to help reduce the problem. The latter part presents a detailed set of proposals based around long-term improvements in the housing stock that must be employed if we are to avoid a dire situation continuing to get worse. Based on detailed analysis of the situation in the UK, the growth of fuel poverty (sometimes called energy poverty) in other countries and the new focus in European policy makes the book timely and provides important lessons for those who now have to produce policies to tackle the issues.

Brenda Boardman is Emeritus Fellow with the Lower Carbon Futures at the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford. She has published extensively on energy use in the home and fuel poverty.

'[Brenda Boardman is the] doyenne of academics involved with researching fuel poverty' The Guardian 'Though our country is not alone in being afflicted by serious numbers of people living in fuel poverty, it remains a particularly vicious and enduring problem here in the UK. Just as it remains a source of astonishment to many that our Government has made so little progress in 'fixing' that problem. Brenda Boardman's timely and powerful book not only explains why that's the case, but shows exactly what needs to be done by the next Government to eliminate the scourge of fuel poverty.' Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director, Forum for the Future 'In a world of rising energy prices, policies to deal with climate change may seem to sit uneasily alongside a commitment to eradicate fuel poverty. This fresh and honest look at fuel poverty comes from the person who can be said to have identified and defined the problem. It shows, without dodging the complexities, how an assault on energy inefficient homes must lie at the heart of any attempt to reconcile these policy goals.' Prof Jim Skea, Research Director, UK Energy Research Centre and member of the Committee on Climate Change, UK 'This is a new milestone in our understanding of and fight against fuel poverty. Brenda Boardman has distilled all the knowledge and wisdom she has accumulated during decades of dedicated research on the subject. After her landmark first book on fuel poverty, she reassesses its causes and critically appraises the policies implemented, with possible new solutions outlined, while also reflecting about many of the challenges still lying ahead.' Professor Diana i? rge-Vorsatz, Central European University, Budapest, Hungary and a Coordinating Lead Author, Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 'Brenda Boardman proved 20 years ago that fuel poverty was a distinct social issue. Now she provides a comprehensive and devastating critique of Government's failure to tackle the issue - and offers a constructive way forward, based on a low-carbon and energy-efficient strategy.' Professor Gordon MacKerron, Director, Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU), University of Sussex, UK 'Excellent' New Power Magazine 'A must read for professionals and laypeople alike, guiding us to understand the heritage and state of our housing.' New Start Magazine 'Never before can there have been such a comprehensive survey of figures and tables pertinent to the entire issue gathered in one place... all power to your very sharp elbow, Brenda.' Energy in Buildings and Industry 'Fixing Fuel Poverty is valuable and comprehensive review of the issues and should be compulsory reading for policy and decision makers working in the fuel poverty sector.' EnergyAction 'Brenda Boardman continues to do pioneering work in the field of fuel poverty in Britain... a unique study.' Rick Munroe, Energy Bulletin