Key Lessons from the Social Climate Plans on Targeting Vulnerable Households

The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) Policy Conference is Europe’s biggest event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use, gathering policymakers, innovators and energy stakeholders to discuss innovations and the future of clean energy in Europe. The session will discuss the role of the Social Climate Fund (SCF), the EU's first financial instrument exclusively targeting vulnerable households, transport users, and micro-enterprises in the energy transition. Grounded in vulnerability to energy price increases due to the extension of the Emission Trading System to the buildings and road transport sector (ETS2), the SCF and its implementation tools, the National Social Climate Plans (NSCPs), aim to link EU funding to insights on energy and transport poverty.

 Ahead of ETS2, Member States have consulted and drafted new or adapted measures and investments tailored to these groups. This session brings together key actors who monitored NSCP drafting over the past year to reflect on successes, areas for improvement, and lessons for future EU funding targeting households in energy and transport poverty. Two representatives from the Commission’s Technical Support Instrument (TSI), which assisted ten Member States, will share insights and challenges from the research process. Three national organisations will reflect on their respective consultation and drafting experiences. A Commission representative from the Czechia desk will discuss bilateral processes and Plan assessments. Drawing on lessons from drafting and assessing NSCPs, as well as ongoing analysis of published Plans, we take stock of achievements and look ahead. We explore how other funding sources (ETS2 revenues, Modernisation Fund, etc.) can address investment gaps identified in the NSCPs and how knowledge of vulnerability to energy price increases, energy, and transport poverty can inform European Semester and MFF funding priorities.