THE ROLE OF SOCIAL POLICY IN MITIGATING ENERGY POVERTY AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47743/asas-2025-2-841Keywords:
energy poverty, social policies, energy efficiency, energy vulnerability, energy transition, Romania, European UnionAbstract
This paper examines the multifaceted phenomenon of energy poverty, with a particular focus on its alarming expansion in Romania within the broader European and global contexts. Adopting a multidimensional theoretical perspective, it analyses energy poverty not merely as an economic issue, but as a complex challenge with profound socio-economic, health, and environmental implications. Drawing upon a synthesis of recent quantitative data from official sources (e.g., Eurostat, World Bank) and qualitative analysis of specialized academic literature and policy documents, the article demonstrates how energy poverty now affects not only traditionally vulnerable categories but also increasingly middle-income households. The main conclusion advocates for the urgent development and implementation of integrated social policies that combine social protection measures with investments in energy efficiency and the transition to renewable energy sources, arguing that this comprehensive approach is essential for a fair and sustainable energy transition. Furthermore, the synthetic nature of this review itself underscores the critical need for more dedicated empirical research to inform robust policy development in Romania and across the EU.
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