55 - From Coal to Clean: Tackling Energy Poverty with Renewables - with Miłka Stępień, CEE Bankwatch Network

Episode 55: Tackling Energy Poverty and Building a Fair Transition with Miłka Stępień

How can renewable energy end energy poverty while creating better jobs? In this episode of Energ' Ethic, we explore how Central and Eastern Europe is confronting these challenges with Miłka Stępień, Just Transition Campaign Coordinator at CEE Bankwatch Network.

Miłka brings 25 years of activism to the table, and she’s seen the energy transition from every angle. Her message is clear: the green transition must be fair, and it needs to work for everyone—especially those in vulnerable communities.

"If I see something isn't working, I feel the need to fix it," Miłka says, reflecting on how her journey into activism began in high school. It’s that spirit of problem-solving that has shaped her work in fighting for just transition policies that bring real benefits to both people and the planet.

What’s at stake for Central and Eastern Europe?

In this episode, Miłka shares her experience growing up in Eastern Wielkopolska, a coal-mining region in Poland. She explains the deep connections people in these areas have to coal and how the shift to renewable energy can feel like a threat. But Miłka believes the conversation must go deeper than that.

"We need to address people's fears. You can't just come in and say 'we’re closing the mines'. You have to understand why this transition is difficult for them," Miłka explains.

At the heart of these fears is heating poverty. In Central and Eastern Europe, it’s not just about the cost of electricity—it’s about how people heat their homes.

"For many households, heating is the biggest cost, not electricity. We need to focus on retrofitting homes and making them energy-efficient," she says.

Breaking down barriers to the energy transition

Miłka also highlights the real challenges that come with accessing EU funds, especially for rural and smaller municipalities.

"What we need is a network of energy advisors in every municipality, especially in rural areas. These advisors can guide people through the process of retrofitting homes and adopting renewable energy," Miłka explains.

She talks about how decentralized funding can help communities access the resources they need. Big projects may get headlines, but it's small, local initiatives that will make the biggest difference to those struggling with energy and heating poverty.

Throughout the episode, Miłka emphasizes the need for a participatory approach. Local communities must have a say in how the energy transition happens.

"It's not just about closing coal mines. It’s about listening to people and working together to create a future where everyone benefits," she says.

Key takeaways:

- The link between energy poverty and heating poverty in Central and Eastern Europe

- The importance of keeping high environmental standards, even in regions facing economic challenges

- The need for decentralized funding and technical assistance to make the green transition work in small communities

- Why participatory approaches are key to ensuring a just and inclusive transition

Read here the EEB report on How renewables can help vulnerable households, released today!

Check out the latest European Environmental Bureau (EEB) report on how the Social Climate Fund can help vulnerable households transition to renewable energy. And don't forget to tune in to the rest of our mini-series, where we explore how renewables can create jobs and fight energy poverty across the EU!

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