Griffith Asia Insights
Women, energy, and justice: Examining household cleaner energy use in Sri Lanka
MANEKA JAYASINGHE, ROHAN BEST, SELVA SELVANATHAN AND SAROJA SELVANATHAN |
Energy transition is a critical global challenge intersecting with many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The transition to cleaner energy is a fundamental issue of justice and equity. Lack of access to cleaner energy disproportionately affects marginalised communities, particularly women in developing countries. These gendered disparities in energy access have significant implications for health, education, and economic participation, making energy justice a key policy concern.
Understanding gendered differences in energy use in Sri Lanka
Women, especially in lower-income households, are often the primary users of household energy for cooking and lighting. In many developing countries, women rely on traditional biomass fuels, such as firewood and charcoal, which contribute to indoor air pollution and associated health risks, including respiratory diseases. Additionally, time spent gathering fuel limits women’s opportunities for education, employment, and economic participation, further entrenching gender inequalities.
This study examines gender differences in household cleaner energy use in Sri Lanka using four waves of Household Income and Expenditure Survey data (2006/07, 2009/10, 2016, and 2019). A particular focus is placed on the cleaner energy use gap between de jure and de facto female-headed households (FHHs). De jure FHHs refer to households where women are recognised as the head due to the absence of a male counterpart (e.g., widows or single women), whereas de facto FHHs are those where the male head is absent due to migration or other reasons but still holds decision-making authority.
To provide deeper insights into gendered differences in cleaner energy use, the study employs two advanced econometric techniques:
- Exogenous Switching Treatment Effect Regression (ESTER), which helps measure the impact of household headship on energy use while accounting for selection bias.
- Fairlie Decomposition Technique, which identifies the contribution of different factors to gender disparities in energy consumption.
Key findings
The study reveals significant differences in energy use patterns between male-headed households (MHHs) and FHHs in Sri Lanka. Some key findings include:
- Cooking fuel choices: MHHs are less likely to use cleaner energy sources for cooking but more likely to rely on solid fuels such as firewood. The difference becomes more pronounced as household assets increase. de-jure FHHs are more likely to use transitional energy sources for cooking, indicating a gradual shift towards cleaner energy adoption.
- Lighting preferences: No substantial gender differences observed in cleaner-lighting transition.
- Economic factors: Financial constraints and household wealth play a crucial role in shaping energy use decisions. The affordability of cleaner energy remains a challenge, especially for low-income households.
Implications for policy and development
The findings of this study underscore the need for targeted policies to promote cleaner energy adoption in female-headed households. Key policy recommendations include:
- Expanding access to affordable cleaner energy: Government and development partners should introduce subsidies and microfinance schemes to make cleaner energy solutions more accessible to low-income households.
- Empowering women in energy decision-making: Promoting women’s participation in energy policymaking can help address gender disparities and drive more inclusive energy transitions.
- Investing in clean cooking technologies: Encouraging the adoption of cleaner cooking technologies, such as LPG and electric stoves, can significantly reduce health risks and improve women’s quality of life.
- Enhancing public awareness: Educational campaigns on the benefits of cleaner energy use can help shift social norms and encourage greater adoption of sustainable energy sources.
Conclusion
Ensuring a just and equitable energy transition requires acknowledging and addressing gender disparities in energy access. By implementing targeted policies and fostering inclusive decision-making, governments and stakeholders can empower women and accelerate the shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. The case of Sri Lanka highlights the importance of considering gender dynamics in energy policies to achieve broader development goals and build a more equitable future.
Maneka Jayasinghe (Charles Darwin University), Rohan Best (Macquarie University), Selva Selvanathan and Saroja Selvanathan (Griffith University and members of the Griffith Asia Institute).
This article is a synopsis of the journal article, “Towards a just transition: Unpacking the gender differences in household cleaner energy use”, published in Energy Economics, written by Maneka Jayasinghe, Rohan Best, Selva Selvanathan and Saroja Selvanathan.
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