Energy Poverty (EP) is a pressing issue that affects a significant number of people, and it is influenced by various factors, including housing conditions, household composition, energy literacy, and climate change. Some groups are more vulnerable to EP than others, such as students, who have a high risk of falling into EP due to various factors, such as lack of knowledge of energy efficiency measures, tight budgets, or high energy expenses. Although this group is often not directly targeted by policymakers and has not been widely considered a vulnerable group, EP is a critical issue, as it intersects with their educational background, health, and general well-being. While EP is a common problem, known to vary between regions, it is not known how the EP situation may differ between local and displaced students and how this interacts with the season of the year. Thus, this work explores the aspects of EP experienced by local and displaced students in Montevideo (Uruguay), Padua (Italy), and Lisbon/Portugal during winter and summer through a comparative analysis. In this sense, this dissertation includes two studies based on a survey of higher education students and their responses to the questionnaires used, which covered various aspects related to EP. The first examined the perceptions of EP among university students in Montevideo, Lisbon, and Padua, considering both local and exchange students, while the second focused on local and displaced higher education students in mainland Portugal, exploring their vulnerability to EP in four of its regions. Both studies revealed how diverse backgrounds, housing conditions and regional disparities can influence higher education students' perceptions, experiences, and vulnerability to EP. The first research associated vulnerability to EP with housing problems, particularly evident during the winter in Lisbon and Montevideo, in contrast to the more satisfactory housing conditions in Padua. According to the conclusions of the two studies, there is an urgent need to address EP with the Portuguese higher education student population. Moreover, the second research revealed the substantial challenges faced by this population, especially by displaced students and those living in the private rental sector. Policymakers and institutions must, therefore, consider this knowledge to allocate resources effectively and implement interventions targeting this population. These efforts can improve students' living conditions, raise awareness about EP and ensure that EP does not unduly impede their educational activities.

Supervisor: João Pedro Gouveia