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Impacts of renewable energy on gender in rural communities of north-west China

Author

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  • Ding, Wenguang
  • Wang, Lijun
  • Chen, Baoyu
  • Xu, Luan
  • Li, Haoxu

Abstract

This investigation compares the traditional energy structure with improved energy structures, and evaluates the impact of renewable energy on gender relations in rural communities in north-west China. The traditional energy consumption structure in rural communities in north-west China was based on biomass and coal. However, the improved energy consumption structures consist of renewable energy based on solar energy cookers, biogas digesters and energy saving stoves. Compared with traditional biomass-based energy consumption, renewable energy could significantly improve energy use efficiency and alter women's labour intensity, health status, living standards and even men's share of some cooking tasks. The field investigation data revealed that: women are free from having to collect firewood after integration use of renewable energy including biogas digesters, energy saving biomass stoves and solar energy cookers; the frequency of firewood collection, firewood collection quantity, time spent in firewood collection and human energy consumption of women have greatly decreased when traditional energy consumption structures are improved; using biogas can daily save 50% of cooking time for women; 91% of women use surplus funds from energy saving to buy clothes and cosmetics products; 3.1% of them enjoy travelling; and also use of clean energy devices can further reduce the risk of women exposed to indoor smoke pollution, and hence prevent women from possibly getting respiratory diseases. Therefore, it can be concluded that: gender is an important aspect of energy, which has previously been ignored by many researchers; gender does matter in the area of access to, ways of use, opportunities and control over energy; energy and women are linked in many diverse ways; technology change can drive cultural change; appropriate policies are needed to encourage technology up-take.

Suggested Citation

  • Ding, Wenguang & Wang, Lijun & Chen, Baoyu & Xu, Luan & Li, Haoxu, 2014. "Impacts of renewable energy on gender in rural communities of north-west China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 180-189.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:69:y:2014:i:c:p:180-189
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.03.027
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    2. Mang-Benza, Carelle & Jodoin, Laurent & Onibon Doubogan, Yvette & Gaye, Ibrahima & Kola, Edinam, 2023. "Making energy justice work for women in rural sub-Saharan Africa: A qualitative diagnostic from Benin, Senegal, and Togo," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    3. Krishnapriya, P.P. & Chandrasekaran, Maya & Jeuland, Marc & Pattanayak, Subhrendu K., 2021. "Do improved cookstoves save time and improve gender outcomes? Evidence from six developing countries," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    4. Yohannes Biru Aemro & Pedro Moura & Aníbal T. Almeida, 2021. "Inefficient cooking systems a challenge for sustainable development: a case of rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(10), pages 14697-14721, October.
    5. Wenheng Wu & Hongying Zhu & Yinghao Qu & Kaiying Xu, 2017. "Regional Disparities in Emissions of Rural Household Energy Consumption: A Case Study of Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-17, May.
    6. Ding, Wenguang & He, Li & Zewudie, Dinka & Zhang, Huilin & Zafar, Tanjia Binte & Liu, Xinde, 2019. "Gender and renewable energy study in Tibetan pastoral areas of China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 901-913.
    7. Ana María González & Harrison Sandoval & Pilar Acosta & Felipe Henao, 2016. "On the Acceptance and Sustainability of Renewable Energy Projects—A Systems Thinking Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-21, November.
    8. Fanghua Li & Abbas Ali Chandio & Yinying Duan & Dungang Zang, 2022. "How Does Clean Energy Consumption Affect Women’s Health: New Insights from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-16, June.

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