Written by Islene Façanha, Project & Policy Officer at ZERO Portugal
Energy poverty is a significant issue in Portugal and across Europe, affecting many households and presenting substantial challenges to both well-being and sustainability. The “Casa Quente Para Toda a Gente” (Warm Home for Everyone) campaign, launched by the environmental organization ZERO in 2022, aims to address this critical issue by raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of energy poverty. This ongoing campaign evolves through continuous updates and new strategies, emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency and the need to combat energy poverty.
Specifics of Energy Poverty in Portugal
Portugal’s historical background helps explain the current state of its building stock, with over 70% of buildings being energy inefficient. The country’s late industrialization and urbanization processes, coupled with a slow implementation of housing policies, have shaped Portugal’s housing dynamics.
In response to the minimal state intervention, severe housing shortages in the latter half of the 20th century led to a surge in illegal and self-built construction, along with an increase in the number of shantytowns and slums, particularly in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto, where urban pressure was highest. In 1990, legislation began to emerge, but it did not impose any requirements until 2006, when an energy certification system was introduced along with more robust legislation focused on energy efficiency.
In addition to the obsolescence of the building stock, factors such as a culture of neglect regarding heating and cooling within homes, superficial and ineffective government measures, and failures to communicate support measures to the public contributed to Portugal’s severe situation. This scenario results in potentially more than 3 million people living in energy poverty in Portugal today.
Objectives and Strategies of the Campaign
Given the context presented, the “Casa Quente Para Toda a Gente” (Warm Home for Everyone) campaign has the following key objectives:
- Raising Awareness: The primary goal is to inform the public about the realities of energy poverty. This includes providing clear, accessible information about what energy poverty is, who it affects, and the broader implications for society.
- Promoting Energy Efficiency & solutions: The campaign highlights the importance of energy efficiency as a solution to energy poverty. Improving the energy performance of buildings can reduce heating/cooling costs and make homes more comfortable and sustainable.
- Community Engagement: Engaging people to advocate for solutions to energy poverty is also a way to empower them in the process. In 2023, we collected testimonies from citizens suffering from energy poverty in Portugal, and within just a few days, we received 315 responses. Empowering individuals to take ownership and be proactive in addressing energy poverty was a key aspect of our strategy. The online testimony collection campaign received extensive media coverage and was even mentioned in a session of the Portuguese Parliament.
This year, ZERO organized a photographic exhibition featuring stories from people across five member states, including Portugal. These activities not only raise awareness but also encourage community action and support.
The campaign is a dynamic initiative that evolves based on new developments and feedback. Key strategies include Continuous Data Updates: ZERO keeps the campaign’s website current with the latest information on energy poverty and efficiency to ensure the public has access to relevant data, New Initiatives: The campaign regularly seeks new methods to increase its impact, such as forming partnerships and new approaches from talks to art collaborations and Feedback Integration: ZERO actively incorporates community feedback to refine and adapt strategies, ensuring the campaign remains effective and responsive to evolving needs.
The Photographic Exhibition and stories that travel across the country
As part of the “Warm Home for Everyone” campaign, ZERO, in collaboration with the international environmental network Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) and Lisbon Metro launched a photographic exhibition to raise awareness about energy poverty and engage the public in finding solutions. This exhibition not only features testimonies from Portugal but also includes stories from Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, and Poland, highlighting the efforts of citizens in combating energy poverty.
The exhibition’s goals are to emphasize the significance of energy poverty and promote green and socially just solutions driven by citizens and policymakers. It also aimed to influence the political agenda ahead of the European Parliament elections back in June, ensuring that energy poverty becomes a key priority for both the new European Parliament and Portugal.
Inaugurated at the European Parliament on February 27, 2024, and launched on March 26 at the Baixa-Chiado metro station in Lisbon, the exhibition has since received invitations from various entities and NGOs across the country. Through compelling images, it reveals the struggles of those living without adequate heating and the impact of these conditions on their daily lives.
Photo by Aline Macedo
The exhibition serves several purposes:
- Illustrating the Reality: The photographs depict real-life situations, making the issue more relatable to the public.
Photo Credit: Miriam Strong
- Inspiring Action: By showcasing the human side of energy poverty, the exhibition aims to motivate individuals and communities to support efforts to address the issue.
Photo Credit: Aline Macedo
- Highlighting Solutions: It also features examples of successful energy efficiency improvements or actions, demonstrating how such changes can make a significant difference.
Photo Credit: Miriam Strong
Reaping the Benefits: Continuing Our National Actions for a Sustainable Future
Since its inception, the “Casa Quente Para Toda a Gente” campaign has made a notable impact. The campaign’s second phase, which began in January 2024, received over 25,000 visits to the page. More than 80,000 people were reached through the campaign on social media. The photo exhibition received 20 mentions in the media. The increased awareness and engagement from the community are evident through higher levels of public discourse and media coverage. The campaign has also contributed to the growing recognition of energy poverty as a critical issue that requires concerted action from both policymakers and the public.
The “Casa Quente Para Toda a Gente” campaign is a vital initiative in the fight against energy poverty in Portugal. By combining public education, community engagement, and advocacy for energy efficiency, the campaign aims to create lasting change and improve the quality of life for those affected by energy poverty. Through continuous updates and innovative approaches, ZERO believes in the power of raising awareness and informing citizens, and that we can promote the much-needed renovation wave for a more equitable and sustainable future, leaving no one behind.
More information on the Build Better Lives campaign in Portugal can be found here
