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Things are not always what it is measured: On the importance of adequately assessing energy poverty

Author

Listed:
  • Sandrine Meyer
  • Laurence Holzemer
  • Thiago Nyssens Moraes Da Silva
  • Kevin Maréchal
Abstract
Energy poverty is a major societal issue with both economic impacts and solidarity implications. Although its main drivers (e.g. insufficient income, bad quality housing, high energy prices) are widely recognised, there is no common definition of energy poverty at the European level, let alone a common way of measuring the phenomenon. The energy poverty barometer for Belgium has been developed accordingly. It draws on a set of composite indicators with the aim of grasping the multifaceted nature of energy poverty: excessive energy bills compared to available income (measured energy poverty), restriction in energy consumption below basic needs (hidden energy poverty) and self-reported difficulties to heat the housing correctly (perceived energy poverty). The results of the barometer are enriched and complemented with the insights of a field survey carried out in collaboration with municipal Public Centres for Social Action from the Brussels-Capital Region. The usefulness of combining an indicatorbased approach relying on macro statistics with a more qualitative field study leads us to support the setting up of a dedicated platform involving stakeholders. This broader and more systemic understanding would help moving beyond a ‘one size fits all’ approach to intervention which could be detrimental for some affected households.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandrine Meyer & Laurence Holzemer & Thiago Nyssens Moraes Da Silva & Kevin Maréchal, 2016. "Things are not always what it is measured: On the importance of adequately assessing energy poverty," Working Papers CEB 16-025, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    • Handle: RePEc:sol:wpaper:2013/230917
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Domínguez Olabide, Peru, 2018. "Pobrezia energetikoa neurtzeko adierazleen errebisio kritiko bat," Revista de Dirección y Administración de Empresas, Universidad del País Vasco - Escuela Universitaria de Estudios Empresariales de San Sebastián.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy poverty; Barometer; Indicators; Social inclusion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q40 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - General
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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