Voices from the community

Satisfaction about gas suppliers Percentage of residents

Energy ratio Percentage of

residents

Satisfied 30 % Energy ratio < 10% 65 %

Not satisfied 30 % Energy ratio > 10% 12 %

Satisfaction unknown 40 % Energy ratio unknown 23 %

Figure 10. Overview of percentages of measuring affordability and welfare within Hispanic communities in the Bijlmer (Author, 2022).

However, Sovacool's conceptual framework also considers minimal volatility in energy prices as an indicator of affordability. There was no mention of price changes in current expenses by the majority of respondents, indicating that affordability isn't a challenge for Hispanics at the moment.

Despite the fact that this can imply that affordability does not seem to be a challenge within Hispanic communities, it is important to remember that this group belongs to a very low income group (see figure 9). Consequently, they are already more vulnerable to possible price volatility that may occur in the future than higher income groups, and any changes in their gas expenses will have a significant effect on their lifestyle. It appears that sooner or later, gas prices will rise due to the international increase in demand, making affordability problematic for Hispanic communities in the Bijlmer. While Sovacool's conceptual framework takes into account both price volatility and energy poverty, it does not seem to take other factors into account, such as income group, social position within a society and the risk of creating a new dichotomy between rich, self-sufficient neighbourhoods and poorer neighbourhoods that remain dependent on expensive networks (van de Wiel, 2018).

When asking the respondents to express their feeling of satisfaction about their gas suppliers, most of the residents were quite indifferent about this, as expressed in figure 10. There are just as much respondent satisfied, as unsatisfied about their gas suppliers. Some respondents, which were satisfied, even stated they always received letters about any changes in their expenses on time and were happy about that. In contrast, when respondents were asked how satisfied they were with any letters or other forms of communication from the municipality, they were very unsatisfied and mentioned not having faith in the municipality. These answers only reinforce the fact that marginalized communities tend to have less trust in governmental institutions.

As most residents pay fixed gas prices, they are not really concerned about adapting their habits to consume less gas, since it will not affect their finances. By removing fixed gas prices from the market, it might encourage more sustainable behaviour, but at the same time, it may also increase fuel poverty than this research indicates so far. It can therefore be argued that some decisions have advantages for the energy transition, while at the same time they can lead to disadvantages for Hispanic communities in the Bijlmer. The challenges and difficult choices regarding energy decisions, only emphasize the complexity of the situation.

While most residents do not seem to be particularly concerned about reducing their gas consumption, most are unconsciously adopting their gas behaviour. 16 out of the 18 respondents mentioned that they do not or barely use their central heater in their homes. A quote from one of the respondents:

“Yes, I have one of those things in my house, but I never put it on. At this moment, I don’t heat at all, but I cannot deal with that being turned on, I get sick. That is why I only turn it on a little in the winter” (respondent from category 5, 2022, translated from Spanish to English by Author).

A lot of respondents expressed getting unwell when turning on their central heater, or just not liking to have warm temperature inside their homes. Despite many residents not being aware of what produces gas in their homes or not knowing how to adapt, they unconscious already use very little gas. The other thing that seemed to be a challenge for the residents, regarding affordability, was not willing to pay the price for the adaptations towards a natural gas-free society themselves.

Most of them stated that they simply did not have the money to invest because they are living off a welfare loan or are living in poverty. The one-time compensation of 400 EUR was mentioned by 17 of the 18 respondents, and 12 of them actually received this. Though this sounds like a great solution, many of them expressed their concern whether this was the best way to keep gas prices low or to change resident behaviour. A quote from one of the responses regarding this:

“If you are going to tell me, ma'am, let's see if we can make an adaptation to your stove, to consume less gas. Or give us LED lamps. You see, like this! Because if you give me the money like that, I'm not going to use it for gas! [laughing hard] One unconsciously is not going to use it for what it should be, but in other things” (respondent from category 5, 2022, translated from Spanish to English by Author).

Some other respondents mentioned that by the time the gas prices will go up, most people will get in trouble because they have probably already spent the money. This shows that some individual support initiatives actually don’t make a difference, or creates the opposite effect towards affordability as predicted or decided by the municipality. The cash compensations, however, do provide financial stability to marginalized communities, keeping them from falling into worse economic positions.

When asking respondents, who is responsible for the energy transition in the Bijlmer, different answers were given, but the majority finds the Municipality as much as themselves responsible (figure 11). Despite feeling responsible for climate change, they lacked the capacity or resources to take action. Due to their lack of financial capacity, they will never be able to act more responsibly toward the energy transition.

Figure 11. Answers by respondents from category 5 to the question: who is responsible for the energy transition in the Bijlmer? (Author, 20220)

2.2. To what extent is coordination and cooperation with neighbourhoods a challenge within Hispanic communities in the Bijlmer?

As far as identifying challenges regarding coordination and cooperation with neighbourhoods, there are quite a lot to be identified. The majority of residents express that the transition towards a natural gas-free society seems unfair to them, as they feel not protected by current measures. In light of the fact that only four of the ten initiatives were mentioned by the community, they appear to be very unengaged with these initiatives. None of the respondents mentioned ever actively participating in one of the collective initiatives, such as cooking workshops, or resident meetings.

They expressed not knowing about them, but mostly not feeling comfortable attending those meetings, where mostly people outside their community gather. A quote from one of the respondents:

“No, no, I don't integrate with that to be honest. It is because it is so little that you understand because everything is in Dutch. And one feels like… bad that one doesn't understand anything, but you know…” (respondent from category 5, 2022, translated from Spanish to English by Author).

Also, they mention that most of the time they have other more important things to do or to attend.

This has also been said by participants from category 1:

“At first, residents' reactions are often like: I have something else on my mind; whatever; I'll see.

I am now taking care of my sick child, or I need to eat. But if you talk to them, and you have something tangible to offer them, so you come with stuff, and indicate that this will lower their costs, then you see that they get interested. Especially now with the crazy rising gas prices”(respondent from category 1, 2022, translated from Dutch to English by Author).

All of these factors suggest that coordination and cooperation among Hispanic communities in the Bijlmer are low. Most respondents felt they were not informed correctly or with very little information (like only receiving a letter in Dutch that was difficult to understand). It is evident that although residents feel responsible for climate change, and would like to do something about it, they do not feel comfortable or invited enough to participate in initiatives. In addition, this only

previously. It can therefore be concluded that affordability and cooperation are interrelated and influence one another.

There was no feeling among the respondents that they could somehow play a role in energy decisions, and none of them expressed the desire to even do so. It has been noted in quotes from Hispanic residents and from a policy adviser that when you offer tangible or actionable solutions, such as free sustainable giveaways, residents are more likely to adapt and engage with Transition Vision. Within Hispanic communities, distributing shower heads, LED lamps, insulation materials, and installing heat pumps seems to be very effective.

The third sub-question, within sub-question two, identifies the factors that are typical for Hispanic communities and that seem to be directly related to the reasons why affordability and cooperation might be challenging.

2.3 What are the main factors influencing the perception of Hispanics in the Bijlmer regarding the

Transition Vision?

Interestingly, all respondents identified themselves and people from their own country with offending characteristics, such as laziness, uninterestedness, bad education; stupidity; a lack of desire for information; inactivity; and shame in comparison to originally Dutch citizens. This is often referred to as an inferiority complex, which is common in marginalized communities living in another country between two cultures. “Theoretically speaking, immigrants live on the crossroads of cultures torn between whether being assimilated and accepted in their host country or preserving their origin culture” (Senoussi, 2022, p. 39). An underlying factor of this, according to Senoussi (20220), can be attributed to imperialism: “These syndromes of inferiority are the legacy of colonialism and the direct results of living under the shadows of imperialism” (p. 48).

The researcher also identified some NIMBY traits among Hispanic respondents, since most respondents understood the urge to stop using fossil fuels, but admitted to not taking any steps to change their behaviour. In marginalized communities, living in poverty and not having a high level of education are two factors that prevent them from considering natural gas-free alternatives (de Kluizenaar et al., 2020). As a result, Hispanics in the Bijlmer do not prioritize expensive investments in sustainable energy solutions. The last notable factor that influences the perception

regarding the Transition Vision has to do with different behaviours and practices (cultural differences) that are related to their cultural background. Latin American countries have usually high temperatures, resulting in people being used to have air conditioning or air fans at home. The respondents mentioned several times that they always sleep with an air fan or that they keep their rooms cool. As central heaters are not common in Latin-American countries, most respondents were unaware of how they worked or that it was the central electric gas system inside their homes that provided a consistent amount of warmth. Cooking methods are another example. Several Hispanics stated that they prefer to cook with gas because it is faster and the food cooks better.

Several community experts expressed their concerns regarding cultural differences within some communities in the Bijlmer. A quote from a local executer working at WOON!, followed by another one working at a Housing Cooperation:

“Heating is the biggest way you can save CO2, but cooking is more emotional: heating is, you are cold or not. But cooking has to do with your taste: where you come from. We notice that cooking says a lot about who you are, and is therefore a much more difficult process within the transition vision” (respondent from category 3, 2022, translated from Dutch to English by Author).

“There's an entire Ghanese population here, or an African community, and they just want to see a fire under their pan. And they're really not a fan of induction or something. I think that's going to be a real problem. I think they are going to start buying gas bottles, I'm afraid” (respondent from category 3, 2022, translated from Dutch to English by Author).

To sum up sub-question two (how does the Transition Vision relate to the perception of people from the Hispanic community?), we can conclude that the Transition Vision is perceived as something inconceivable, complicated, expensive and far removed from the personal lives of Hispanic communities in the Bijlmer. At first sight, affordability does not seem to be a big challenge for Hispanic communities, as many are not (yet) directly affected financially, due to fixed gas prices. However, as current gas prices will be increasing in the near future, fuel poverty might become a big problem if residents will be held responsible for their own expenses. Yet, 65 per cent of respondents holds somebody else responsible for creating a natural gas-free society.

This shows that some initiatives to support affordability actually don’t make a difference, or creates the opposite effect towards affordability as predicted or decided by the municipality.

Achieving affordability within Hispanic communities in the Bijlmer seems therefore to be a complex task. Supporting cooperation and coordination within Hispanic communities also seems to be a challenge. There is no easy access to adequate information, and Hispanics do not feel represented or want to be represented in any decision-making process related to the Transition Vision. Factors such as discomfort, inferiority complexes, insufficient knowledge, NIMBY triads, and living in poverty cause very low levels of engagement and participation. It can be concluded that supporting energy affordability and cooperation with neighbourhood seem to go hand-in-hand and may affect each other.