1. To bring together available statistical material from selected EC Member States on the extent of fuel poverty.

2. To identify and provide a descriptive analysis of initiatives to combat fuel poverty.

3. To identify elements of good practice that can be applied to initiatives throughout the EC and in the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe.

1. Collection of statistical information on fuel poverty in four EU Member States. Belgium; Germany; Ireland; and the Netherlands. Subjects covered include: numbers of households on low incomes in receipt of social security; data on the condition of the housing stock; type and number of heating systems; household expenditure on fuel; fuel prices; fuel disconnections; insulation standards; expenditure on insulation of energy inefficient dwellings; and excess winter mortality.

2. Five case studies to be identified on the basis of interviews with expert informants in public agencies and NGOs involved in design and delivery of initiatives. Issues covered include: policy coordination between different government departments and agencies involved in fuel poverty initiatives; funding of initiatives; training for insulation work; targeting of resources on those most in need of improved energy efficiency in the home.