Analysis of socio-spatial determinants of the phenomenon of “energy ageism” in Poland in the context of the energy crisis and the consequences of the war in Ukraine

Project manager: dr Paweł Żuk

The phenomenon of energy ageism (economic, cultural and spatial discrimination against the elderly under conditions of energy transition) requires a comprehensive analysis. In the most general sense, energy ageism should be understood as all socially-driven and energy policy-related mechanisms that handicap and discriminate against the elderly, reducing their quality of life through limited (economically, technologically, spatially, informationally, culturally) access to various energy sources, new energy technologies and the benefits of full access to the energy cycle. So far, economic poverty of seniors and retirees has been mainly pointed out. The phenomenon of energy ageism is associated with economic poverty in households, but it has a broader meaning. This is because energy ageism is also linked to other dimensions of social life – it affects people not only with lower economic capital, but also with lower cultural capital.
The energy-economic consequences of the war in Ukraine may hit seniors first (rising energy and heat prices).

The aim of the study is to clarify the manifestations of energy ageism, its determinants among Polish seniors and its links to the socio-spatial dimension. The literature usually mentions three types of reasons for discrimination against seniors in the energy sphere:

(a) economic poverty, making it impossible to make regular energy payments;

(b) the poor technical condition of residential buildings and heating systems inhabited by seniors and their low energy efficiency;

(c) incompetent use of available energy and lack of knowledge of new energy technologies.

Research questions:

• What conditions and in what does energy ageism manifest itself in Poland?
• What remedial strategies are seniors taking to secure their heat and energy supplies in the context of rising energy prices and energy insecurity in the context of the war in Ukraine?
• Does energy ageism correlate with other forms of social exclusion (by gender, place of residence, social class)?

Funding organization:
National Science Center

Programme:
MINIATURA 7

Project duration:
11/07/2023 – 10/07/2024

Funding amount:
45 650 PLN

Project status:
Project in progress