Ageism, welfare, and the energy transition: a comparative analysis of the perceptions among the elderly in Poland and Norway

Abstract

Background> One of the potential dimensions on which exclusion and injustice may occur in energy transitionsis age. Age-based patterns of exclusion—ageism—has recently been conceptualized in the context of decar-bonization as energy ageism. This paper offers a comparative empirical analysis of the senior citizens’ outlooktowards an imminent energy transition as well as the impact of energy poverty in two European countries: Norway and Poland. Results: Drawing on interviews and focus groups with Polish and Norwegian seniors, we present the differencesand similarities between the two countries, and the determinants of energy ageism, as well as the concept’s overallapplicability and empirical usefulness. We find that socioeconomic conditions outweigh ageism, that is, the resil-ience of senior citizens in dealing with energy poverty during a transition is conditioned by their material standingand welfare state robustness rather than age based. An important factor is household heating technology, combinedwith economic vulnerability can push some individuals into energy poverty, while others using alternative sourcesof heat can navigate through energy crises unscathed. Conclusions: We note the importance of mainstreaming social inclusion considerations in energy policy and of tar-geted digital competence building which can enhance senior citizen integration in the energy transition. Lowerlevels of digital competences among senior citizens certainly play a role and need to be addressed with educationprograms to increase participation. In both countries, household heating is a major issue and heating sources arestrong predictors of energy poverty and regulatory measures and subsidies should be designed at national, regional,and municipal level to assist vulnerable groups in this area.

Ageism, welfare, and the energy transition: a comparative analysis of the perceptions among the elderly in Poland and Norway