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A Multidimensional Approach to Measuring Fuel Poverty

Author

Listed:
  • Dorothée Charlier

    (IREGE - Institut de Recherche en Gestion et en Economie - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

  • Bérangère Legendre

    (IREGE - Institut de Recherche en Gestion et en Economie - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

Abstract

In this study we suggest that a more careful and systematic understanding of fuel poverty can be developed through a multidimensional approach to the relationship between monetary poverty, residential energy efficiency, and heating restriction. Our objective is to provide new ways to better identify those who suffer the most from fuel poverty to optimize policy. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to measure poverty in three steps following Sen (1979): (i) combining poverty characteristics into an aggregate measure involving a fuel poverty index (FPI), (ii) identification and comparison of poor people according to existing and new definitions and (iii) testing the robustness of the fuel poverty composite indicator. Our results show that the usual measures reveal a gap that does not consider all the dimensions of fuel poverty, excluding those who are at or above a certain threshold, but who are nevertheless vulnerable. The multidimensional approach enables us to consider all the components of fuel poverty.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorothée Charlier & Bérangère Legendre, 2019. "A Multidimensional Approach to Measuring Fuel Poverty," Post-Print halshs-01957796, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01957796
    DOI: 10.5547/01956574.40.2.bleg
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-01957796
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Thermal discomfort; Fuel poverty; Multidimensional approach; Heating restriction;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F0 - International Economics - - General

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