The multifaced challenge to tackle energy poverty: outlook scenarios for EU countries.

COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated household energy poverty in many countries. During the latter half of 2021, as the situation gradually improved, a new threat emerged in the form of an inflationary surge in energy prices, exacerbated by the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. In this paper, we attempt to provide pragmatic projections of energy poverty in European countries over the next five years. Furthermore, the study will investigate whether nations that actively support the transition to green energy are better positioned to mitigate the adverse effects of these events on the energy poverty situation. The findings indicate that several factors contribute to energy poverty in European countries, and the short-term outlook does not look good. There is, however, a glimmer of hope for countries that prioritize and expedite their transition to green energy. A shift to renewable energy sources may contribute to a more resilient and stable energy landscape by protecting countries from the volatile nature of traditional energy markets and geopolitical conflicts. The policymakers are urged to consider sustainable energy transition not only as a means of combating climate change, but also as an essential component of economic recovery and social well-being, particularly in the context of unpredictable global events.