Energy Poverty and Territorial Resilience: An Integrative Review and an Inclusive Governance Model

Alice Renè Di Rocco (), Maria Rosa Trovato, Rosa Giuseppina Caponetto and Francesco Nocera
Additional contact information
Alice Renè Di Rocco: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, CT, Italy
Maria Rosa Trovato: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, CT, Italy
Rosa Giuseppina Caponetto: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, CT, Italy
Francesco Nocera: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, CT, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-26

Abstract: Energy poverty presents a variety of complex challenges relating to equity, public health and territorial sustainability. Despite growing attention across European policy agendas, responses remain fragmented and often disconnected from local needs. This study proposes a strategic framework to promote social inclusion, territorial resilience, and multilevel governance in addressing energy poverty. The methodological approach is divided into three main phases. First, a literature review based on PRISMA guidelines was conducted, covering reports and pilot projects from 2010 to 2024. An inductive–deductive model was then used to analyse the literature, identifying five thematic areas and recurring gaps. The ultimate goal was to develop a framework that would tackle energy poverty. The results reveal persistent gaps: fragmented indicators, underdefined vulnerable groups, weak integration between energy and health policies, limited financial accessibility, and uncoordinated governance. In response, the paper introduces the Integrated Energy Resilience and Inclusion Network (IERIN), a governance-based framework structured around four conceptual pillars: equity, adaptability, participation, and proximity. The Nesima district of Catania is proposed as an exploratory context to test the framework and refine participatory tools. The study outlines practical strategies for achieving energy equity through co-design, cross-sectoral planning, and inclusive financing. The study outlines practical strategies for achieving energy equity through co-design, cross-sectoral planning, and inclusive financing.

Keywords: energy poverty; just energy transition; inclusive energy policies; co-creation processes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8555/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8555/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8555-:d:1756705

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().