Reducing energy poverty: How to empower women and switch to clean fuel in India?

Abstract

Despite the call for ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030, the dependence of households on biomass fuel remains high. Studies reveal that empowering women leads to a shift to clean fuel. But are all dimensions of empowerment equally important in influencing the shift to clean fuel? This study employs data from the fifth round of the nationally-representative National Family Health Survey (2019–21) to undertake a comparative assessment of the impact of different channels of empowerment on the adoption of clean fuel. Propensity score matching, nearest neighbourhood matching and control function methods were used to analyse the data. Dose response models were used to test for the sensitivity of results to variations in cut-offs defining binary empowerment categories. Empowered women are more likely to adopt clean fuel, with channels like work, financial autonomy and, possibly, education driving the adoption of clean fuel. Contextual factors (vegetation, average number of wet days and last-mile connectivity) also impact the use of biomass. The income shock of the lockdown to contain COVID led to greater reliance on biomass. Policies encouraging employment, financial autonomy and education of women are necessary to reduce the dependence on biomass. Energy poverty can be reduced by offering financial support for second cylinders and refills.