The Urban Household Energy Transition

by Barnes, Douglas F.; KRUTILLA, KERRY; Hyde, William F.

• ISBN13: 9781933115061
• ISBN10: 1933115068
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-07-31
• Publisher: Resources for the Future

Summary

As cities in developing countries grow and become more prosperous, energy use shifts from fuelwood to fuels like charcoal, kerosene and coal, and, ultimately, to fuels such as liquid petroleum gas, and electricity. Energy use is not usually considered a socio-economic issue. Yet, as this book demonstrates, the movement away from traditional fuels has a strong social class dimension, as poor people are the last to attain the benefits of using modern energy. The result is that health risks from the continued use of wood fuel fall most heavily on the poor, and indoor pollution from wood stoves has its greatest effect on women and children who cook and spend much more of their time indoors. Barnes, Krutilla, and Hyde provide the first worldwide assessment of the energy transition as it occurs in urban households, drawing upon data collected by the World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP). From 1984-2000, the program conducted over 25,000 household surveys in 45 cities spanning 12 countries and 3 continents. Additionally, GIS mapping software was used to compile a biomass database of vegetation patterns surrounding 34 cities. Using this rich set of data, the authors describe problems and policy options associated with each stage in the energy transition. The authors show how the poorest are most vulnerable to changes in energy markets and demonstrate how the collection of biomass fuel contributes to deforestation. Their book serves as an important contribution to development studies, and as a guide for policymakers hoping to encourage sustainable energy markets and an improved quality of life for growing urban populations.

Table of Contents

Figures and Tables	vi
Preface	ix
About the Authors	xii
Abbreviations, Acronyms, Energy Conversion Factors, and A Note about Data and Tables	xiii
1. Urban Household Energy, Poverty, and the Environment	1	(12)
2. The Urban Energy Transition	13	(14)
3. Household Fuel Choice and Consumption	27	(14)
4. Energy and Equity: The Social Impact of Energy Policies	41	(15)
5. The Urban Energy Transition and the Environment	56	(21)
6. The Energy Transition in Hyderabad, India: A Case Study	77	(25)
7. Toward More Effective Urban Energy Policies	102	(17)
Annex: Methods and Data	119	(10)
Notes	129	(2)
References	131	(6)
Index	137