Gender ideology, neighborhood spillover, and cooking fuel choices in rural China

Gender ideology can affect household energy consumption; however, the existing literature has ignored this aspect. Using data from household surveys, this study employs econometric modeling to examine the impact of gender ideology on household cooking fuel choices and their underlying mechanisms. The results show that an emancipatory gender ideology can substantially promote adoption of clean cooking fuels by households. The results of the mechanistic analysis show that gender ideology encourages the adoption of clean cooking fuels through two pathways: increased internet use and exercise. Furthermore, the impact of gender ideology on households' choice of cooking fuel is moderated by income and the importance of internet, with neighborhood spillover effects and heterogeneity. The HOUSE model, developed by integrating households and neighbors, clarifies the complex relationship between gender ideology and household cooking fuel choice. This study provides meaningful theoretical and practical guidance for encouraging rural households to adopt cleaner cooking fuel.