Regions with low population density and risk of social exclusion stand to lose most from EU transition policies

Research by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) has found that the EU's emissions trading system, aimed at reducing emissions from transport and buildings, could put some populations at risk, particularly those with low population density and a high risk of social exclusion. According to SEI's analysis, these populations tend to be located further away from key facilities, such as healthcare, which magnifies the negative effects of a potential fuel price increase on their quality of life. The SEI research shows that when implementing decarbonisation policies, it is important to note that "municipalities with a low population density and a high percentage of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion face bigger challenges. However, because footprints and socio-economic conditions can vary greatly within a given area, it is also necessary that municipalities carry out a more detailed assessment of how the required scope of change and capacity to change is distributed within their jurisdiction". According to SEI, identifying households at risk and designing targeted support will be crucial in the EU's policy implementation.