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How to Distinguish Income Indicators of Energy and Transport Vulnerability—A Case Study of Greece

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  • Vlasios Oikonomou

    (Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy, Kingsfordweg 151, 1043GR Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Samuele Livraghi

    (Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy, Kingsfordweg 151, 1043GR Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Konstantina Karalaiou

    (Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy, Kingsfordweg 151, 1043GR Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Ivana Rogulj

    (Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy, Kingsfordweg 151, 1043GR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Rijeka, Ivana Filipovića 4, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia)

  • Stavros Spyridakos

    (Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy, Kingsfordweg 151, 1043GR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Christos Tourkolias

    (Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving, 19009 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

This article examines Greek households’ energy and transport poverty and vulnerability, two concepts often intertwined in policy, making use of both single and composite indicators. The methodology employed aligns with the European Social Climate Fund regulation, using household income from economically active members and the share of expenditures on fossil-based energy use in buildings and transport, as well as the required investment costs in energy efficiency improvements for dwellings or transport decarbonization measures. Through these indicators, the proportion of energy-vulnerable households in Greece ranges from 19% to 40%, while transport vulnerability varies between 22% and 43%. Notably, the analysis reveals that households in higher income categories can still be highly vulnerable, depending on household size, composition and dependency, which impact energy and transport needs. As such, the research findings reveal that the current legislative frameworks may not fully capture the vulnerability of certain demographic groups in the event of additional costs of fossil fuels due to new climate policies. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that policymakers adjust criteria to better target vulnerable households based on their unique characteristics and needs, and use improved data collection systems to monitor energy and transport poverty and vulnerability.

Suggested Citation

  • Vlasios Oikonomou & Samuele Livraghi & Konstantina Karalaiou & Ivana Rogulj & Stavros Spyridakos & Christos Tourkolias, 2025. "How to Distinguish Income Indicators of Energy and Transport Vulnerability—A Case Study of Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4275-:d:1651683
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    References listed on IDEAS

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