Energy poverty and adaptive capacity: Analysing the benefits of energy access in terms of resilience to climate change.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for thinking about the importance of energy in our changing world. As the title suggests, it focuses on the concepts of energy use, energy access and energy poverty in the context of climate change. Specifically, it starts by explaining the relevant terms and conceptualising energy use and energy deprivation from different perspectives. With a focus on energy poverty, different indicators and measurement methods are presented. In particular, the multidimensional nature of energy poverty and recent literature on the subject are highlighted. The Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) by Nussbaumer and the Multidimensional Energy Deprivation Index (MEDI) by Robles and Bonilla are considered. Based on the information provided by the International Energy Agency, the paper moves on to assess the current energy situation by providing an insight into the global energy crisis we are facing and exploring its causes and challenges. The focus of the paper then shifts to an assessment of the problem of climate change and the various measures that can be taken to respond to it. A brief review of the main norms and conventions on climate change mitigation is offered to lay the groundwork for explaining the importance of adaptive capacity in dealing with the effects of climate change. The final chapter presents an analysis of the benefits of energy access in terms of reduced vulnerability to climate change, with a particular emphasis on the issue of cooling poverty.