Abstract
The present study aims to explore economic and socio-demographic factors that influence a household’s probability to switch from firewood to cleaner fuels (kerosene and LPG) in northern Cameroon. The paper employs an ordered probit model to construct cooking patterns and fuel choices. Three main cooking sources are considered: firewood, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas. Utilized data are derived from a national survey conducted in 2004 by the Cameroonian National Institute of Statistics. The study analyzes the data related to the Sudano-Sahelian agro-ecological zone, which is one of the most affected by land degradation and decertification. While results indicate that there is a potential for a transition from traditional to cleaner fuels in the studied region, this transition is still in its earlier stage. The research demonstrates that firewood and kerosene prices, age of household heads, educational level of household heads and willingness to have a gas cylinder, as well as type of dwelling have a statistically significant impact on fuel-switching decisions.
Highlights
Expansion of agricultural land and road extensions, coupled with the intensive use of firewood for cooking and heating, has greatly contributed to increased aggregate carbon emissions and deforestation in developing countries [1]
While the literature shows that income plays a key role in choosing fuel type, and that households with more income tend to use cleaner fuels, our study finds that income was statistically significant only at 10% while other factors were more significant in the move to cleaner fuels
Our study used a data set obtained from the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and a discrete choice model to investigate fuel choice and inter-fuel substitution relationships in Cameroon
Summary
Expansion of agricultural land and road extensions, coupled with the intensive use of firewood for cooking and heating, has greatly contributed to increased aggregate carbon emissions and deforestation in developing countries [1]. Because of an increase in income and other factors, households abandon the use of firewood and use coal, charcoal, and kerosene These fuels are labeled “transitional fuels” in the energy ladder model. This paper differs from the work of Mom Njong and Tabi Atemkeng [12] in assuming a likely order of movement in fuel selection based on efficiency and cleanliness of energy sources Investigating those factors that determine fuel choice, besides income and price, is important when considering policy intervention, keeping in mind that a major initiative of the Cameroonian government is to reduce poverty and increase well-being across the country. Our findings fill a gap in the literature about fuel choice in Cameroon and open up room for further academic and policy discussions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
