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The economics of rural energy use in developing countries

Author

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  • Ujjayant Chakravorty
  • Ridhima Gupta
  • Martino Pelli

Abstract

Pollution from the use of fuels like fuelwood and crop residue is a huge environmental issue in developing countries. It leads to poor indoor air quality and adverse impacts on human health, mainly that of women and children who spend most of their time indoors. It also leads to deforestation in areas where fuelwood and charcoal use is high. This chapter describes the problem of fuel use for cooking in developing economies, and the challenges they pose for human health and the environment. The findings from many economic studies are analysed on different aspects of this issue, evaluations of government policies and the difficulties associated with the desired transition to cleaner, more efficient fuels such as natural gas and electricity. To quote this document: Chakravorty U., Gupta R. and Pelli M. (2022). The economics of rural energy use in developing countries (2022s-12, CIRANO). https://doi.org/10.54932/XCOZ6579 La pollution due à l'utilisation de combustibles tels que le bois de chauffage et les résidus de récolte est un problème environnemental majeur dans les pays en développement. Elle entraîne une mauvaise qualité de l'air intérieur et a des effets néfastes sur la santé humaine, principalement celle des femmes et des enfants qui passent la plupart de leur temps à l'intérieur. Elle conduit également à la déforestation dans les zones où l'utilisation de bois de chauffage et de charbon de bois est élevée. Ce chapitre décrit le problème de l'utilisation de combustibles pour la cuisson dans les économies en développement, et les défis qu'ils posent pour la santé humaine et l'environnement. Les conclusions de nombreuses études économiques sont analysées sur différents aspects de cette question, les évaluations des politiques gouvernementales et les difficultés liées à la transition souhaitée vers des combustibles plus propres et plus efficaces tels que le gaz naturel et l'électricité. Pour citer ce document: Chakravorty U., Gupta R. and Pelli M. (2022). The economics of rural energy use in developing countries (2022s-12, CIRANO). https://doi.org/10.54932/XCOZ6579

Suggested Citation

  • Ujjayant Chakravorty & Ridhima Gupta & Martino Pelli, 2022. "The economics of rural energy use in developing countries," CIRANO Working Papers 2022s-12, CIRANO.
    • Handle: RePEc:cir:cirwor:2022s-12
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cooking fuels; air pollution; indoor air quality; fuelwood markets; clean energy; Combustibles de cuisson; pollution atmosphérique; qualité de l'air intérieur; marchés du bois de chauffage; énergie propre;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q42 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Alternative Energy Sources
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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