Development of an Integrated Tool for the Assessment of Regional Vulnerability to Energy Poverty: The Case of Greece

Abstract

Families that cannot afford basic energy amenities are considered to live in energy poverty. Socioeconomic and environmental factors such as income inequality, building inefficiency, and climate change exacerbate this condition. This study proposes an innovative composite index that measures vulnerability by combining four different aspects of vulnerability: building, climatic, social, and economic. The regional composite index incorporates sub-indexes such as household income, residential energy cost, and housing characteristics to map the areas affected mostly by energy poverty. Official data from sources such as Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) and Eurostat is used to establish these indicators. To assign objective weights to the various criteria, the study employs the entropy-weighted technique. This ensures that the research accurately represents regional vulnerability levels. The findings highlight significant regional disparities, with Eastern Macedonia and Thrace showing the highest levels of vulnerability while Attica exhibits the lowest. By providing decision-makers with a helpful tool, this composite metric seeks to address the structural and immediate causes of energy poverty while also helping policymakers develop targeted policies and initiatives.