Energy poverty as a restriction of multiple capabilities: A systemic approach for Belgium

Energy poverty is a multidimensional issue and the capability approach is fruitful to show how energy-poor households are restricted in many aspects of well-being. With reference to Nussbaum’s Central Capabilities, and based on qualitative interviews, this contribution aims to illustrate how energy-poor people are limited in five capabilities in their daily life and how these restricted capabilities sometimes reinforce each other in vicious circles. The capabilities analysed are related to material property (“Control over one’s material environmentâ€), recreational activities (“Playâ€)... Mehr ...