University of Sussex
Browse
EP_ON RSER MainText_Revisions_FINAL_clean_accepted.pdf (966.05 kB)

A review and analysis of initiatives addressing energy poverty and vulnerability in Ontario, Canada

Download (966.05 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 03:37 authored by Runa R Das, Mari MartiskainenMari Martiskainen, Lindsey M Bertrand, Julie L MacArthur
This paper examines initiatives that assisted energy poor and energy vulnerable households in Ontario, Canada during 2003 to 2018. Providing a conceptualization for energy poverty and vulnerability, which lack a formal legislative definition in Canadian policy, the paper discusses the history of Ontario’s energy sector and the levels of ‘energy burden’ that brought energy prices to the fore of the public debate. It then reviews 40 initiatives that have assisted energy poor or energy vulnerable households, largely within broader policy areas of energy efficiency and energy savings, housing provision, poverty reduction, healthcare, and climate change mitigation. These initiatives are categorized into three main thematic areas of 1) financial support, 2) energy efficiency and savings, and 3) consumer protection. Further analysis shows that the initiatives largely address short-term needs and focus on the symptoms of energy poverty and vulnerability, rather than on preventative measures. The paper concludes that a more comprehensive approach is needed to address the underlying causes of energy poverty, to develop, target and evaluate effective solutions.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

ISSN

1364-0321

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

165

Article number

a112617

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-05-23

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2023-05-26

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-05-23

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC