BSDL: Hello, Fabio! As the Climate Plan coordinator, how do you view energy poverty?
FB: Our Climate Plan has four pillars: emission reduction, climate resilience, citizen participation, and climate justice. Energy poverty is the link between all these pillars. Addressing energy poverty means tackling inequalities, improving comfort, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, and empowering individuals when it comes to their energy literacy and energy consumption.
BSDL: How do we fight against energy poverty?
FB: Energy poverty is both a technical issue and a social challenge. It relates as much to the energy performance of buildings as to heating habits and perceived comfort. Solutions include energy renovation, replacing outdated heating systems, raising awareness. As a municipality, we must lead by example by renovating our buildings and using energy efficiently.
BSDL: What are Etterbeek’s strategic priorities and planned actions?
FB: Thanks to the EmPoweringUs project, we launched an energy audit of the municipal housing stock to help prioritise renovations. Over the next two years, we will organise more than 40 workshops with tenants. We are also raising awareness in schools and have started an aerial thermography campaign to assess heat loss from roofs across the territory.
BSDL: How to deal with these challenges with limited resources?
FB: Our role is to act as a facilitator of change, raise awareness, support citizens. We also go a step further: Etterbeek launched Belgium’s first municipality-led crowdlending campaign, mobilising citizens’ savings to finance energy-related public projects. In return, citizens receive an attractive interest rate. Overall, around €3.9 million was invested.
BSDL: How do you envision Etterbeek in 2050?
I envision healthy, energy-efficient buildings, with accessible technologies and heating practices that use energy reasonably. I also hope that more and more energy will be renewable, locally produced, and locally shared. I believe sustainability can be a springboard for stronger community spirit and solidarity. It’s still a long journey, but a great adventure!
