Adapting to Higher Energy Costs : Public Perspectives and Responses to Rising Energy Costs in Europe and Central Asia
This report presents findings from 208 focus group discussions held across 8 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia between 2013-2014 that examined households experiences with and attitudes to energy tariff reforms. Over the past five years,...
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
Washington, DC
2015
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2015/06/24318960/adapting-higher-energy-costs-public-perspectives-responses-rising-energy-costs-europe-central-asia-eca http://hdl.handle.net/10986/22083 |
| Summary: | This report presents findings from 208
focus group discussions held across 8 countries in Eastern
Europe and Central Asia between 2013-2014 that examined
households experiences with and attitudes to energy tariff
reforms. Over the past five years, the World Bank has
provided guidance to more than 14 countries in the region on
implementing energy subsidy reforms. This work complements a
large body of research on the poverty impacts of these
reforms. Specifically, it gives voice to poor and
middle-income citizens, and presents their perspectives and
concerns with regard to rising tariffs and reforms in the
energy sector overall. The report argues that by gaining a
deeper understanding of the narratives that people attach to
energy issues, governments can design better mitigation
policies to address the reforms adverse impacts; better
communication campaigns to convey the rationale of reforms
to the public; and institute stronger accountability
measures to help citizens protect their rights as consumers.
This report examines poverty and social impacts of energy
tariff reforms in the ECA region from citizens
perspectives. It aims to complement previously collected
quantitative data on distributional impacts of reforms, and
contribute to the design of socially sustainable energy
policies and effective mitigation measures. It presents
qualitative research findings that highlight: (i) factors
affecting household vulnerability to energy tariff
increases; (ii) insights into how households cope with
increasing energy prices; (iii) experiences with and
perceptions of energy sector institutions and, more
specifically, interactions with energy service providers;
(iv) experiences with social assistance programs and overall
attitudes toward measures that make energy more affordable;
and (v) consumer attitudes toward energy sector reforms overall. |
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