Composite index for the evaluation of energy vulnerability of micro-enterprises: relevant indicators and results

The proclaimed goal of European energy policies is a just and sustainable energy transition. While extensive research has focused on energy tran- sition and efficiency, micro-enterprises, a critical segment of the European economy, remain underex- plored. Micro-enterprises account for 93.7% of EU companies and nearly 17% of total EU turnover. They are also a contributing factor to welfare, where entire families rely on the stability of a single micro-enter - prise. Due to their size and supply chain position- ing, they are disproportionately vulnerable to energy price fluctuations, supply disruptions and regulatory changes. We investigate the energy vulnerability of micro-enterprises in the EU, highlighting their unique challenges in energy transition policies, financial con- straints, and market dynamics. A composite vulner - ability index (MEVI) is developed, integrating factors like energy dependency, market access and business vulnerabilities, to rank EU Member States based on their micro-enterprise energy vulnerability. The find- ings suggest variations in vulnerability across coun- tries, influenced by energy market structure, macro- economic conditions or sector-specific energy needs. The research underscores the necessity for tailored policies and further data collection to better address the energy vulnerability of micro-enterprises, a sector often overlooked in energy policies. I. Rogulj (*) Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy, The Hague, Netherlands e-mail: ivana@ieecp.org I. Rogulj · S. Žiković · P. Jakovac University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, Rijeka, Croatia e-mail: sasazikovic@gmail.com P. Jakovac e-mail: pavle.jakovac@efri.uniri.hr