The environmental and social costs of poorly coordinated public policies: Air pollution, energy poverty and low-quality housing

Abstract

Southern Chile faces severe air pollution driven by residential firewood use and energy poverty. This study evaluates the effectiveness of thermal retrofitting policies in Coyhaique through a multidimensional analysis of 68 households, combining sociodemographic surveys, indoor temperature monitoring, and an assessment of housing typologies and their transformations. Results indicate that lower-income households consume significantly more energy per square meter yet achieve lower thermal comfort duration. While retrofitting improves indoor temperatures, it fails to decouple households from polluting fuels; notably, in 62% of retrofitted dwellings, the use of firewood persists due to ingrained cultural and economic factors. The findings highlight that current policies, characterized by a lack of inter-ministerial coordination and standardized designs, fail to address the specific socio-technical realities of intermediate cities. We conclude that effective decontamination requires a transition from sectoral approaches to integrated territorial management, aligning housing quality standards with local energy transition goals.