European Union: How To Reach The Hardest-To-Reach Climate Target Group

Elderly Rural Households and the EU’s Climate Commitment at COP30

As European leaders gather for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the EU stands at a pivotal crossroads for its climate credibility. Days ahead of the summit, EU Environment Ministers are preparing to finalize the 2040 climate target—aiming for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to 1990—and cement its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. Yet, as negotiations intensify, the needs of one demographic remain under-addressed: elderly people (65+) living in rural regions. This group, totaling some 20–25 million citizens, faces critical challenges that make them the hardest segment to reach for climate action in the EU.

Who Are the Hardest to Reach?

This most vulnerable group comprises elderly adults living in rural and remote areas, especially in Southern and Eastern Europe (notably Bulgaria, Portugal, Greece, Lithuania). Rural populations are disproportionately aging—17% aged 65–79 compared to 14% in urban areas. Rural regions cover over 80% of EU territory but host only about 30% of its people, many of whom confront geographic isolation, advanced age, and economic difficulty.

Why Aren’t They Contributing to Emission Reductions?

Barriers for elderly rural residents stem from intertwined economic, access, infrastructure, health, and information challenges:

Economic barriers: Much of this population lives on low fixed incomes and is overrepresented among the 35–72 million Europeans facing energy poverty. Rural households spend about 7% (often more) of their budget on energy, yet 10.6% of Europeans reported inadequate home heating in 2023, up from 6.9% in 2021. Renovation costs (€10,000–€30,000 per home) put climate-friendly upgrades completely out of reach.
Transport poverty: Around 90–125 million EU citizens lack affordable, sustainable transport. In rural areas, up to 89% of travel distance depends on private cars, exposing elderly to higher fuel and running costs. Planned price increases under ETS2 (EU Emissions Trading System for transport and buildings beginning in 2027) will hit these groups hardest.
Access and infrastructure: Rural residents are, on average, three times farther from healthcare than urban dwellers. Housing stock is older and poorly insulated. Outdated heating systems rely on high-pollution fuels, while access to modern renewables is limited.
Physical health: Elderly have greater vulnerability to heat stress and cold. Almost 90% of heat-related deaths in Europe are among those aged 65+, and mortality in this age group has risen by 167% since the 1990s.
Information barriers: Many lack digital literacy and awareness about climate support programs. Local authorities struggle to reach the rural elderly, risking their exclusion even from well-intentioned funding schemes.

What Is the EU Committing at COP30?

At COP30, the EU is set to finalize bold climate pledges: a 90% net reduction by 2040, and a 2035 NDC anticipated at 66–72% compared to 1990. Despite pushback from some countries seeking more flexibility, EU leaders emphasize that the transition must be just and inclusive, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirming, “the EU cannot and should not outsource its responsibility for climate action.”

A critical instrument for enabling fairness is the Social Climate Fund (SCF), with €86.7 billion available between 2026 and 2032. This fund will support vulnerable households, including the rural elderly, in tackling energy and transport poverty while adapting to the new carbon pricing regime. After an October 2025 guidance launch, Member States must integrate age-inclusive strategies within their Social Climate Plans, with the first funding to flow in 2026—one year before ETS2 begins.

COP30’s host nation Brazil has highlighted climate finance for vulnerable populations as a priority conference issue, , and the EU has signaled strong support for adaptation measures and for ensuring “no one is left behind.” Civil society groups are also pushing for age-responsive policy and health systems.

Two Proposals for Real Change

Door-to-Door Energy Renovation Program

What: A “Rural Elder Climate Resilience Program” providing free, end-to-end energy renovation for households of elderly rural residents, delivered through SCF funding.

How:

Energy audits, retrofitting (insulation, efficient windows, clean heating), and solar installations at no cost.
Outreach workers help at every step—from identification to application to post-renovation training.
Coordinated by DG CLIMA and local partners, using a centralized EU database and annual progress reports.

Impact: If 2 million homes are renovated, household energy use drops by 40–60%, cutting up to 8 million tonnes CO₂/year. Health benefits accrue from safer homes and reduced energy poverty, with local employment growing in rural construction and installation sectors.

Timeline:

Year 1: Launch pilots in priority regions and reach 50,000 homes.
Year 2: Expand to 500,000 homes across 10 Member States.
Year 3: Full EU rollout, 2 million homes retrofitted.

Community Mobility Hubs & Shared Transport

What: “Rural Mobility Hubs” offering shared electric vehicles, subsidized minibus services, and help with booking (digital and phone) for elderly rural residents.

How:

Hubs provide fleets of EVs for rental, on-demand trips to healthcare/services, and charging access.
Community staff and volunteers facilitate usage and transport literacy.
Funded via SCF, managed by DG MOVE and national agencies.

Impact: Even 1 million rural households shifting to shared electric transport can mean annual carbon reductions of 3–5 million tonnes. Improved mobility connects the elderly to health and social services, reducing isolation and transport poverty.

Timeline:

Year 1: Launch 200 pilot hubs, targeting 25,000 users.
Year 2: Expand to 500 hubs (250,000 users).
Year 3: Opacity to 2,000 hubs serving 1 million users.
Rigorous monitoring ensures benefits reach the right populations.

Key EU Decision-Maker

Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General, DG CLIMA
Email: CLIMA-DIRECTOR-GENERAL@ec.europa.eu
European Commission, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium

DG CLIMA leads the Social Climate Fund implementation. As plans become operational after COP30, now is the time for Member States and local governments to coordinate, adapt, and deliver targeted support to these hardest-to-reach citizens.

The EU’s climate credibility at COP30 depends not just on ambition but on ensuring justice. Elderly rural households—some 20–25 million strong—must be at the center of transition planning. Robust, targeted programs using new EU funding can transform these citizens from climate victims to climate actors. As COP30 begins, the EU has both the means and momentum to make good on its promise that no one will be left behind.

This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard European Union Country Manager, Syaliza Mustapha

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