IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i13p3224-d1426454.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Assessment of Energy Poverty and Alleviation Strategies in the Global South

Author

Listed:
  • Ulpiano Ruiz-Rivas

    (Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Development Group, Higher Polytechnic School, University Carlos III of Madrid, Avda. Universidad 30, 28911 Madrid, Spain)

  • Jorge Martínez-Crespo

    (Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Development Group, Higher Polytechnic School, University Carlos III of Madrid, Avda. Universidad 30, 28911 Madrid, Spain)

  • Mónica Chinchilla-Sánchez

    (Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Development Group, Higher Polytechnic School, University Carlos III of Madrid, Avda. Universidad 30, 28911 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The incidence of energy poverty in the Global South is identified by the lack of basic access to modern fuels and energy carriers. Impoverished people have traditional biomass and human power as their only sources of energy. This situation of deprivation of basic resources, in which (according to estimates of international agencies) almost one third of the world’s population lives, masks other relevant characteristics of energy poverty. Current assessments of energy poverty in impoverished areas and the mitigation strategies being implemented are derived from the development agenda and, with variations in detail and scope, highlight electricity connections and access to clean cooking fuels as guarantors of progress. However, a comprehensive understanding of energy poverty requires focusing beyond basic access, building on the interactions between the supply of energy sources and carriers, the provision of energy services, and their impact on decent living conditions. To deal with the effects of these interactions on the energy poor, several studies have attempted in the last decade to construct an assessment framework centred on energy services. This work discusses the relevant dimensions in the framework (supply, services, and impact on wellbeing), reviews the multidisciplinary work available in each aspect, presents a range of proposed taxonomies, and discusses the different issues. A detailed framework is proposed for the integrated assessment of the supply of energy carriers and energy equipment, the provision of relevant energy services, and the improvements obtained in living conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Ulpiano Ruiz-Rivas & Jorge Martínez-Crespo & Mónica Chinchilla-Sánchez, 2024. "Assessment of Energy Poverty and Alleviation Strategies in the Global South," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:13:p:3224-:d:1426454
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/13/3224/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/13/3224/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xin Tang & Hua Liao, 2014. "Energy poverty and solid fuels use in rural China: Analysis based on national population census," CEEP-BIT Working Papers 57, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEP), Beijing Institute of Technology.
    2. Setu Pelz & Shonali Pachauri & Sebastian Groh, 2018. "A critical review of modern approaches for multidimensional energy poverty measurement," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 7(6), November.
    3. Sylvia Olawumi Israel‐Akinbo & Jeanette Snowball & Gavin Fraser, 2018. "An Investigation of Multidimensional Energy Poverty among South African Low‐income Households," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 86(4), pages 468-487, December.
    4. Crentsil, Aba Obrumah & Asuman, Derek & Fenny, Ama Pokuaa, 2019. "Assessing the determinants and drivers of multidimensional energy poverty in Ghana," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    5. Khanna, Rupali A. & Li, Yanfei & Mhaisalkar, Subodh & Kumar, Mahesh & Liang, Lim Jia, 2019. "Comprehensive energy poverty index: Measuring energy poverty and identifying micro-level solutions in South and Southeast Asia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 379-391.
    6. Patrick Nussbaumer & Francesco Fuso Nerini & Ijeoma Onyeji & Mark Howells, 2013. "Global Insights Based on the Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(5), pages 1-17, May.
    7. Fatih Birol, 2007. "Energy Economics: A Place for Energy Poverty in the Agenda?," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 3), pages 1-6.
    8. Samarakoon, Shanil, 2019. "A justice and wellbeing centered framework for analysing energy poverty in the Global South," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 1-1.
    9. Yiming Xiao & Han Wu & Guohua Wang & Hong Mei, 2021. "Mapping the Worldwide Trends on Energy Poverty Research: A Bibliometric Analysis (1999–2019)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-22, February.
    10. Cullen, Jonathan M. & Allwood, Julian M., 2010. "The efficient use of energy: Tracing the global flow of energy from fuel to service," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 75-81, January.
    11. Narasimha D. Rao & Jihoon Min, 2018. "Decent Living Standards: Material Prerequisites for Human Wellbeing," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 138(1), pages 225-244, July.
    12. Romina Boarini & Alexandre Kolev & Allister McGregor, 2014. "Measuring Well-being and Progress in Countries at Different Stages of Development: Towards a More Universal Conceptual Framework," OECD Development Centre Working Papers 325, OECD Publishing.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shahzad, Umer & Gupta, Mansi & Sharma, Gagan Deep & Rao, Amar & Chopra, Ritika, 2022. "Resolving energy poverty for social change: Research directions and agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    2. Laldjebaev, Murodbek & Hussain, Azmat, 2021. "Significance of context, metrics and datasets in assessment of multidimensional energy poverty: A case study of Tajikistan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    3. Ssennono, Vincent Fred & Ntayi, Joseph M. & Buyinza, Faisal & Wasswa, Francis & Aarakit, Sylvia Manjeri & Mukiza, Chris Ndatira, 2021. "Energy poverty in Uganda: Evidence from a multidimensional approach," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    4. Qurat-ul-Ann, Abre-Rehmat & Mirza, Faisal Mehmood, 2020. "Meta-analysis of empirical evidence on energy poverty: The case of developing economies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    5. Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene, 2021. "A Systematic Literature Review of Indices for Energy Poverty Assessment: A Household Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-27, September.
    6. Ma, Cong & Cheok, Mui Yee, 2022. "The impact of financing role and organizational culture in small and medium enterprises: Developing business strategies for economic recovery," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 26-38.
    7. Gu, Jiafeng, 2023. "Energy poverty and government subsidies in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    8. Ang'u, Cohen & Muthama, Nzioka John & Mutuku, Mwanthi Alexander & M’IKiugu, Mutembei Henry, 2023. "Analysis of energy poverty in Kenya and its implications for human health," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    9. Fu Wang & Hong Geng & Donglan Zha & Chaoqun Zhang, 2023. "Multidimensional Energy Poverty in China: Measurement and Spatio-Temporal Disparities Characteristics," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 168(1), pages 45-78, August.
    10. Boqiang Lin & Kai Wei, 2022. "Does Use of Solid Cooking Fuels Increase Family Medical Expenses in China?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-17, January.
    11. Lin, Boqiang & Wang, Yao, 2020. "Does energy poverty really exist in China? From the perspective of residential electricity consumption," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    12. Chang, Lei & Shi, Fanglan & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad & Saydaliev, Hayot Berk, 2023. "Information and communication technologies development and the resource curse," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    13. Li, Yunwei & Chen, Kui & Ding, Ruixin & Zhang, Jing & Hao, Yu, 2023. "How do photovoltaic poverty alleviation projects relieve household energy poverty? Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    14. Mahumane, Gilberto & Mulder, Peter, 2022. "Urbanization of energy poverty? The case of Mozambique," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    15. Jayasinghe, Maneka & Selvanathan, E.A. & Selvanathan, Saroja, 2021. "Energy poverty in Sri Lanka," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    16. Villalobos, Carlos & Chávez, Carlos & Uribe, Adolfo, 2021. "Energy poverty measures and the identification of the energy poor: A comparison between the utilitarian and capability-based approaches in Chile," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    17. Boqiang Lin & Michael Adu Okyere, 2020. "Multidimensional Energy Poverty and Mental Health: Micro-Level Evidence from Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-18, September.
    18. Zaman, Qamar uz & Zhao, Yuhuan & Zaman, Shah & Alenezi, Marim & Jehan, Noor, 2023. "Spatial evaluation of multidimensional energy poverty between farming and non-farming communities of agro-climatic zones of Pakistan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    19. Abre-Rehmat Qurat-ul-Ann & Faisal Mehmood Mirza, 2021. "Determinants of multidimensional energy poverty in Pakistan: a household level analysis," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 12366-12410, August.
    20. Wang, Hanjie & Maruejols, Lucie & Yu, Xiaohua, 2021. "Predicting energy poverty with combinations of remote-sensing and socioeconomic survey data in India: Evidence from machine learning," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:13:p:3224-:d:1426454. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.