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Assessing Energy Poverty in Urban Regions of Mexico: The Role of Thermal Comfort and Bioclimatic Context

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  • Karla G. Cedano

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Temixco 04510, Mexico)

  • Tiare Robles-Bonilla

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Temixco 04510, Mexico)

  • Oscar S. Santillán

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Temixco 04510, Mexico)

  • Manuel Martínez

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Temixco 04510, Mexico)

Abstract

The increase of energy access to households has been a global priority. By 2018, 89.59% of the world population had access to electricity, while 97.26% of the persons living in urban areas (The Mexican Government reports it at 99.99%) had access. We must now move beyond access to electricity and address energy poverty in urban spaces. A household is energy poor when their inhabitants are incapable of securing proper domestic energy services. Several different methodologies were developed to measure energy poverty. The Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) by Nussbaumer has been successfully used in Africa and in Latin-America. The MEPI considers five dimensions: cooking, lighting, household appliances, entertainment/education and communication. We developed a Multidimensional Energy Deprivation Index (MEDI), based on MEPI. Thermal comfort has been included as sixth dimension, by considering the temperature of the region where the household is located. We found important differences between MEPI and MEDI for Mexico at the national level (urban-MEPI at 0.028 vs. 0.071 urban-MEDI, which implies a higher degree of energy poverty). Also, differences between geopolitical and bioclimatic regions were found. Having better ways to assess energy poverty in the urban context is a key factor to develop effective public policies that might alleviate it.

Suggested Citation

  • Karla G. Cedano & Tiare Robles-Bonilla & Oscar S. Santillán & Manuel Martínez, 2021. "Assessing Energy Poverty in Urban Regions of Mexico: The Role of Thermal Comfort and Bioclimatic Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:19:p:10646-:d:642846
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roberts, Deborah & Vera-Toscano, Esperanza & Phimister, Euan, 2015. "Energy poverty in the UK: Is there a difference between rural and urban areas?," 89th Annual Conference, April 13-15, 2015, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 204213, Agricultural Economics Society.
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    4. Tiare Robles-Bonilla & Karla G. Cedano, 2021. "Addressing Thermal Comfort in Regional Energy Poverty Assessment with Nussbaumer’s MEPI," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, January.
    5. Axel Bruck & Santiago Díaz Ruano & Hans Auer, 2021. "A Critical Perspective on Positive Energy Districts in Climatically Favoured Regions: An Open-Source Modelling Approach Disclosing Implications and Possibilities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-25, August.
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    1. Marcellinus U. Okafor & Bankole Osita Awuzie & Kenneth Otasowie & Udochukwu Marcel-Okafor & Clinton Aigbavboa, 2022. "Evaluation of Indoor Thermal Comfort Conditions of Residential Traditional and Modern Buildings in a Warm-Humid Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-28, September.
    2. Ramadhar Singh, Randy & Clarke, Ricardo M. & Chadee, Xsitaaz T., 2023. "A just energy transition for a hydrocarbon rich SIDS," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    3. Ochoa, Rigoberto García & Avila-Ortega, Daniel Itzamna & Cravioto, Jordi, 2022. "Energy services' access deprivation in Mexico: A geographic, climatic and social perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    4. Tikadar, Biswajit & Swami, Deepika, 2025. "Understanding the variability of residential energy poverty in India," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).

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