From Smoke to Stove: How PMUY is Cooking Up Healthier Homes in India!

The transition to clean cooking fuels is critical to mitigate the adverse health impacts of solid fuel use. Launched in 2016, India’s Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) provides subsidized Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households to promote clean cooking, aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7. This study evaluates PMUY’s impact on LPG adoption and firewood use in rural India using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and a Propensity Score Matching with Difference-in-Differences (PSM-DID) methodology. Our findings show that PMUY significantly increased LPG adoption by 13% more for marginalized households (Scheduled Castes [SC], Scheduled Tribes [ST], and Other Backward Classes [OBC]) compared to non-marginalized households and by 9.7% more for non-Hindu households (Muslims, Christians, and others) compared to Hindu households. Similarly, PMUY reduced firewood use by 11.3% more for marginalized households and 9.1% more for non-Hindu households. Despite these successes, marginalized groups, particularly ST households, face persistent barriers such as geographic isolation, economic constraints, and socio-cultural norms, limiting the program’s impact. The study recommends targeted interventions, including refill subsidies, enhanced rural LPG distribution networks, and culturally tailored awareness programs, to accelerate the clean energy transition. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers in developing economies to promote equitable access to clean cooking fuels.

Identification of the factors affecting the adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is necessary in creating enabling environment for promoting LPG usage in Tanzania. This paper examines factors that affect the adoption of LPG in the jurisdiction of Kinondoni Municipal Council; one of the five municipalities in the city of Dar es Salaam. A cross-sectional research design, involving 466 households from three wards (Msasani, Kijitonyama and Tandale) was employed to capture qualitative and quantitative data. Content analysis was carried out using the Likert scale to observe perceived factors affecting the adoption of LPG. Chi square test and binary logistic regression were performed to examine the likelihood of the adoption of LPG to occur. The findings suggest that at the micro level, several factors do affect the adoption of LPG, but different individuals have different perceptions based on personal experiences. Uncovered factors include the quantity of sell, household income, household size, and the level of awareness. At the macro level, fuel availability is assumed to play an important role in determining the adoption and usage of LPG. Chi square test shows the association between different variables and LPG usage; while logistic regression reveals two variables—education and household expenditure (proxy for income)—as significant factors. The study recommends that the creation of enabling environment for LPG usage in the municipality should pay more attention to issues related to education and income.

Interventions in the clean cooking sector have focused on improved biomass stoves in a bid to address household air pollution (HAP) in low- and middle-income countries. These initiatives have not delivered adequate health and environmental benefits owing to the less than optimal performance of improved biomass stoves. There is an urgency to transition communities to cleaner cooking systems such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to reduce the prevalence of HAP. Adoption of LPG also has challenges. This case-control cross-sectional study with 510 households examines how affordability, accessibility, and awareness (3As) are associated with LPG adoption in rural poor households of Andhra Pradesh, a state of India. Using binomial logistic regression analyses, the study examines the association of 3As with LPG adoption, adjusting for demographic predictors. Results show disparities in LPG adoption owing to affordability, accessibility, and awareness. Household income is positively associated with LPG adoption. Easy availability of biomass deters households from adopting LPG. Concerns for LPG safety reduces likelihood of LPG adoption. On the other hand, attending awareness campaigns on clean cooking benefits is strongly associated with LPG adoption. Awareness drives, primarily targeted marketing campaigns, could help expand LPG coverage among poorer households. This paper offers insights into the determinants of clean fuel adoption with implications for resource-poor settings across the world to advance energy justice and address energy poverty.

Moving Beyond Clean Cooking Energy adoption: Using Indian ACCESS panel data to understand solid fuel suspension

Firewood, forests, and fringe populations: Exploring the inequitable socioeconomic dimensions of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) adoption in India

Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) is an important clean fuel alternative for households that rely on burning biomass for daily cooking needs. In India, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has provided poor households with LPG connections since 2016. We investigate cooking fuel use in households to determine the impact of the policy in the Central Indian Highlands Landscape (CIHL). The CIHL has a large population of marginalized social groups, including Indigenous, Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, and Other Backward Caste people. We utilize survey data from 4,994 households within 500 villages living in forested regions collected in 2018 and a satellite-derived measure of forest availability to investigate the household and ecological determinants of LPG adoption and the timing of this adoption (pre- or post-2016). In addition, we document patterns of firewood collection and evaluate the extent to which households acquiring LPG change these activities. The probability of cooking with LPG was lowest for marginalized social groups. We observe that households recently adopting LPG, likely through PMUY, are poorer, more socially marginalized, less educated, and have more forest available nearby than their early-adopter counterparts. While 90% of LPG-using households continue to use firewood, households that have owned LPG for more years report spending less time collecting firewood, indicating a waning reliance on firewood over time. Policies targeting communities with marginalized social groups living near forests can further accelerate LPG adoption and displace firewood use. Despite overall growth in LPG use, disparities in access to clean cooking fuels remain between socioeconomic groups in India.

More than 70 million poor women in India have received liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves within the first 35 months under a government programme, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). Here, we analyse multi-year LPG sales data from a district in Karnataka to assess enrolment and consumption trends for both PMUY beneficiaries and general (non-PMUY) rural consumers. We find rapid growth in enrolments of LPG consumers, but this is not matched by an increase in LPG sales, suggesting that LPG access has not induced a full transition away from the use of polluting solid fuels. The number of LPG refills among PMUY beneficiaries is less than half that of rural general consumers. We also find no observable increase in LPG consumption among general rural consumers with years of experience. These results suggest that mid-course policy revisions to encourage regular LPG use are needed for both PMUY and general rural consumers. India’s Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is a programme that seeks to transition poor households away from unclean cooking fuels. In this Analysis, the authors use liquefied petroleum gas sales data to assess the adoption of cooking gas and the impact of this programme in a district of rural Karnataka.

In India, cooking is one of the chores that capture most of the time in women's day to day life. Women in rural India do not get time to look beyond these chores and hardly get time for some other productive work. According to Census, 2011, nearly 121 million families in India are still cooking food using traditional fuels. In India, around 40 percent of households still deprived of clean energy for cooking food. Recognizing such facts, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2016. This scheme aims to provide a clean energy fuel of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) to 80 million rural women in India who belong below the poverty line family. The present study attempted to analyze the impact of the PMUY scheme on the socio-economic status of women in the rural sector in India and thereby assess the effectiveness of Yojana on women empowerment in the rural sector. The objectives of PMUY, namely, sustainability, energy affordability, efficiency, safety, and clean environment, selected as dependent variables in the study. The socio-economic factors of women empowerment, namely, accessibility, executive power, awareness, financial independence, and behavioral change in herself, chose as independent variables in the study. The present study is a survey-based approach and survey responses obtained from 187 women living in the rural sector in India. The Correlation, regression, and ANOVA statistical tools applied for analysis. The study's findings showed that all the dimensions of PMUY significantly influence the socio-economic aspects of women empowerment. The study also proposed a new conceptual model that may assist the government in framing new policies and strategies to enhance the effectiveness of PMUY in India.

A successful fuel transition? Regulatory instruments, markets, and social acceptance in the adoption of modern LPG cooking devices in Indonesia

Background/Aim: Over three billion people, mostly living in low and middle income countries (LMICs), are exposed to household air pollution from reliance on polluting fuels (e.g. wood, charcoal). There is a dearth of information on barriers to adoption and sustained use of clean cooking fuels, (e.g. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)) in remote locations in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional demographic and fuel use survey was completed by approximately 1500 household cooks from peri-urban Mbalmayo in Central Cameroon. Stratified random sampling was conducted to identify approximately 200 clean (LPG) and 200 polluting (e.g. wood) cooking fuel users who completed in-depth surveys on individual and household characteristics that were potentially associated with cooking behavior and fuel choice. Results: Among households using solid fuels (n=196), the main reported barrier to LPG adoption included the initial cost of LPG equipment (n=87; 59%). Concerns over LPG safety were a significant concern in both users and non-users of LPG (n=366; 83.6% perceived LPG to be dangerous). Decision making over choice of cooking fuel was approximately equally split between the main cook (typically women) and the head of household (usually men); men were in charge of decision making regarding cooking fuel adoption among 41.4% (n=121) LPG users and 56.2% (n=82) of biomass users. Stacking was universal (100%) amongst LPG users, with 70% LPG use. Free secondary fuel and a distance 20-30minutes from retail point reduced LPG use by 20% and 10% respectively. Household head unemployed (O.R 2,057, p-value .000), No formal education (O.R 15.200,p-value .006), and Cost (O.R 2.489, p-value 0.000) were all associated with the non-adoption of LPG. Conclusions: Addressing safety concerns through education, and financially supporting households (e.g. through microfinance) will considerably scale LPG adoption in peri-urban Cameroon. Policies to facilitate LPG adoption should be targeted to both genders. Key words: LPG, clean cooking, adoption

Determinants of adoption of cleaner cooking energy: Experience of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in rural Odisha, India

How does cleaner energy transition influence standard of living and natural resources conservation? A study of households’ perceptions in rural Odisha, India

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Over three billion people, mostly living in low and middle income countries are exposed to household air pollution from reliance on polluting cooking fuels (e.g. wood, charcoal). There is a dearth of information on barriers to adoption and sustained use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). METHODS: A cross-sectional demographic and fuel use survey was conducted in peri-urban Mbalmayo in Central Cameroon. Stratified random sampling was conducted to identify LPG users and solid fuel users. Participants completed in-depth surveys on individual and household characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with the non use of LPG. RESULTS: Among households using solid fuels (n=196), the main reported barrier to LPG adoption included the initial cost of LPG equipment (n=87; 59%). Concerns over LPG safety were a significant concern in both users and non-users of LPG (n=366; 83.6%) perceived LPG to be dangerous). More than a quarter reporting difficulty in obtaining an LPG cylinder refill when the cylinder was empty (n=127; 29%). Stacking was universal (100%) amongst LPG users, with cost of refills, free secondary fuel, and distance from retail point influencing the more exclusive use of LPG for clean cooking. The determinants of the non use of LPG were: education level (P = 0.023), non access to flush toilet (P=0.000), age group of 36-45 years (P = 0.037), low cash income (P=0.047); no pipe for water at home (P=0.047), the cost of LPG (P=0.018), behaviour on LPG dangerousness (0.034). CONCLUSIONS: To scale LPG adoption in peri-urban Cameroon, addressing safety concerns through education, and financially supporting households should be prioritized. Policies to facilitate uptake of LPG should be targeted on populations with low socioeconomic status. KEY WORDS: LPG, clean cooking, adoption

BackgroundBiomass fuel smoke is a leading risk factor for the burden of disease worldwide. International campaigns are promoting the widespread adoption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in resource-limited settings. However, it is unclear if the introduction and use of LPG stoves, in settings where biomass fuels are used daily, reduces pollution concentration exposure, improves health outcomes, or how cultural and social barriers influence the exclusive adoption of LPG stoves.MethodsWe will conduct a randomized controlled, field intervention trial of LPG stoves and fuel distribution in rural Puno, Peru, in which we will enroll 180 female participants aged 25–64 years and follow them for 2 years. After enrollment, we will collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, household characteristics, and cooking practices. During the first year of the study, LPG stoves and fuel tanks will be delivered to the homes of 90 intervention participants. During the second year, participants in the intervention arm will keep their LPG stoves, but the gas supply will stop. Control participants will receive LPG stoves and vouchers to obtain free fuel from distributors at the beginning of the second year, but gas will not be delivered. Starting at baseline, we will collect longitudinal measurements of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, blood pressure, endothelial function, carotid artery intima-media thickness, 24-h dietary recalls, exhaled carbon monoxide, quality-of-life indicators, and stove-use behaviors. Environmental exposure assessments will occur six times over the 2-year follow-up period, consisting of 48-h personal exposure and kitchen concentration measurements of fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide, and 48-h kitchen concentrations of nitrogen dioxide for a subset of 100 participants.DiscussionFindings from this study will allow us to better understand behavioral patterns, environmental exposures, and cardiovascular and pulmonary outcomes resulting from the adoption of LPG stoves. If this trial indicates that LPG stoves are a feasible and effective way to reduce household air pollution and improve health, it will provide important information to support widespread adoption of LPG fuel as a strategy to reduce the global burden of disease.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02994680, Cardiopulmonary Outcomes and Household Air Pollution (CHAP) Trial. Registered on 28 November 2016.

This paper examines how the Government of India (GOI) used macrosocial marketing (MSM) to address the issues of clean cooking fuel accessibility and affordability and structural inequalities in subsidy redistribution. It highlights a novel MSM application to address chrematistics in marketing systems. Two initiatives established by the GOI are examined. “Give It Up” encourages wealthier households to surrender liquid petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies, leaving these to poorer families, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) installs LPG connections for poor, rural women. The research explores how the GOI has addressed economic inefficiencies and structural inequalities, focusing on institutional norms and affordability, accessibility, awareness, and acceptability (the “4As”). The research expands the theoretical boundaries of MSM in relation to poverty and identifies its capacity to affect individual and systemic change through formal and informal institutional changes. Although new institutional norms were adopted, PMUY could not address the ongoing affordability of LPG, despite the changes to LPG subsidies.