• Energy Research

Abstract Female-headed households (FHHs) generally have more constrained access to productive economic resources than male-headed households (MHHs). Question arises as to whether constrained access to productive economic resources of the FHHs also affects their choice and use of clean energy for domestic works. The provision of clean energy is one of the major indicators of economic development. It has implications to human health, mostly for women in developing countries, as they are mainly responsible for firewood collection and cooking. Using nationally representative data from Bhutan, and applying the Exogenous Switching Treatment Effect Regression (ESTER) models estimation procedure, we assessed whether clean energy use behavior differs between MHHs and FHHs. To capture the differences among the FHHs, we classified them into two groups, i.e., de jure FHHs (i.e., a household run by single, widowed, or divorced woman) and de facto FHHs (i.e., a household where the husband is away). Our analysis indicates a significant gender differentiated gap between MHHs and FHHs in terms of clean energy use. As compared to MHHs, clean energy use is significantly lower among the de jure FHHs. De jure FHHs mostly use dirty energy while it is not the case for de facto FHHs. Results demonstrate that the gap between MHHs and de jure FHHs in terms of clean energy, is due to the differences in observable and unobservable characteristics of the households. The clean energy use gap between MHHs and de jure FHHs can be explained by the influence of connection and higher access to off-farm income of MHHs. The findings of this study, thus have important policy implications related to government policy targeting the de jure FHHs for enhancing the use of clean energy.

Climate change impacts will continue to worsen with rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, underscoring the growing necessity to foresee and comprehend the impact of climate change risks on economic activity. Using quarterly firm-level data of 209 firms from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) over the period Q1 2018–Q2 2022, this study estimates the impact of firms’ exposure to climate-related risks on their financial performance. The results indicate a notable adverse effect of climate change exposure on firms’ rate of return, with a lag of around two years. Firms located in more climate-vulnerable coastal areas and high-income provinces experience relatively greater negative impacts on their financial returns. Our findings have important policy implications for firms aiming to maximize their returns through enhanced climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

© 2022 The AuthorsUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have incorporated clean and affordable fuel access as the 7th goal because energy is crucial for economic development and well-being. However, the increase in energy prices, volatility, removal of subsidies, fiscal burden and limited access to modern fuel, and financial burden on the households have led to an increase in energy poverty. Although energy poverty is widely prevalent worldwide, it is more pervasive in developing countries. Yet, there is limited research on energy poverty in developing countries, and the government policy and program do not focus on energy poverty. Therefore, this study examines the energy poverty trend and factors influencing energy poverty in Pakistan using eight rounds of nationally representative Household Income and Expenditure (HIES) survey data collected during 1998–2019. This research adopted two different measures of energy poverty, namely ten percent and double median. The result shows that despite significant economic progress, energy poverty has increased during the last two decades. The study further investigated the determinants of energy poverty in Pakistan using the Probit model, and the results revealed that households with a low endowment, less education, and female-headed families are more likely to be energy poor. Given Pakistan's current energy poverty situation, it is challenging to meet SDG 7 of providing clean and affordable energy access to all by 2030. Therefore, sizeable clean energy programs targeting the poor with low education, families living in rural areas, and female-headed households are needed.

El cambio climático amenaza la sostenibilidad de la producción de alimentos entre los agricultores de Kenia que dependen de la agricultura de secano. Para minimizar los impactos negativos del cambio climático, los agricultores han buscado adoptar diferentes estrategias de adaptación. Este estudio investiga los factores que influyen en la elección de los agricultores de las estrategias de adaptación al cambio climático y los efectos asociados en su seguridad alimentaria en Kenia utilizando datos recopilados de 540 agricultores de seis condados. Se emplearon modelos probit multivariados, de menor desviación absoluta censurada (CLAD) y de coincidencia de puntajes de propensión (PSM) para identificar los determinantes en la elección de los agricultores de las estrategias de adaptación al cambio climático, el número de estrategias de adaptación adoptadas y el efecto de las estrategias de adaptación al cambio climático en su seguridad alimentaria, respectivamente. Los resultados muestran que plantar variedades de cultivos tolerantes a la sequía (55%), cultivar cultivos diversificados (34%), cultivar cultivos de maduración temprana (22%) y diversificar las fuentes de ingresos de los hogares (18%) fueron las cuatro principales estrategias de adaptación utilizadas por los agricultores en el área de estudio. Es más probable que los agricultores más jóvenes y aquellos con niveles de educación más altos utilicen estas prácticas de adaptación al cambio climático. El número de estrategias de adaptación utilizadas se asoció positivamente con los agricultores varones, el nivel de educación, el tamaño de la familia, el tamaño de la tierra, los ingresos agrícolas, el contacto de extensión, la capacitación y el acceso a la información. Los agricultores que adoptan una estrategia de adaptación tienen un estado de seguridad alimentaria más alto (aproximadamente del 7 al 11%) que los que no lo hacen. Si adoptan dos estrategias de adaptación, su estado de seguridad alimentaria aumenta en aproximadamente un 11-14%; si adoptan tres estrategias de adaptación, su estado de seguridad alimentaria aumenta en casi un 12-15%; y si adoptan cuatro prácticas de adaptación, su estado de seguridad alimentaria aumenta en aproximadamente un 14-18%, en comparación con aquellos que no adoptan ninguna estrategia. Por lo tanto, las prácticas de adaptación al cambio climático de los agricultores tienen efectos positivos en la seguridad alimentaria en Kenia de acuerdo con el número de estrategias de adaptación adoptadas. Le changement climatique menace la durabilité de la production alimentaire chez les agriculteurs du Kenya qui dépendent de l'agriculture pluviale. Pour minimiser les impacts négatifs du changement climatique, les agriculteurs ont cherché à adopter différentes stratégies d'adaptation. Cette étude examine les facteurs influençant le choix des stratégies d'adaptation au changement climatique par les agriculteurs et les effets associés sur leur sécurité alimentaire au Kenya à l'aide de données recueillies auprès de 540 agriculteurs de six comtés. Un probit multivarié, une déviation la moins absolue censurée (CLAD) et des modèles d'appariement des scores de propension (PSM) ont été utilisés pour identifier les déterminants du choix des stratégies d'adaptation au changement climatique par les agriculteurs, le nombre de stratégies d'adaptation adoptées et l'effet des stratégies d'adaptation au changement climatique sur leur sécurité alimentaire, respectivement. Les résultats montrent que la plantation de variétés de cultures tolérantes à la sécheresse (55 %), la culture de cultures diversifiées (34 %), la culture de cultures à maturation précoce (22 %) et la diversification des sources de revenus des ménages (18 %) étaient les quatre principales stratégies d'adaptation utilisées par les agriculteurs de la zone d'étude. Les jeunes agriculteurs et ceux qui ont un niveau d'éducation plus élevé sont plus susceptibles d'utiliser ces pratiques d'adaptation au changement climatique. Le nombre de stratégies d'adaptation utilisées a été positivement associé aux agriculteurs masculins, au niveau d'éducation, à la taille de la famille, à la taille des terres, au revenu agricole, aux contacts de vulgarisation, à la formation et à l'accès à l'information. Les agriculteurs qui adoptent une stratégie d'adaptation ont un statut de sécurité alimentaire plus élevé (environ 7 à 11 %) que ceux qui ne le font pas. S'ils adoptent deux stratégies d'adaptation, leur statut de sécurité alimentaire augmente d'environ 11 à 14 % ; s'ils adoptent trois stratégies d'adaptation, leur statut de sécurité alimentaire augmente de près de 12 à 15 % ; et s'ils adoptent quatre pratiques d'adaptation, leur statut de sécurité alimentaire augmente d'environ 14 à 18 %, par rapport à ceux qui n'adoptent aucune stratégie. Ainsi, les pratiques d'adaptation au changement climatique des agriculteurs ont des effets positifs sur la sécurité alimentaire au Kenya en fonction du nombre de stratégies d'adaptation adoptées. Climate change threatens the sustainability of food production among farmers in Kenya who depend on rain-fed agriculture. To minimize the negative impacts of climate change, farmers have sought to adopt different adaptation strategies. This study investigates factors influencing farmers' choice of climate change adaptation strategies and associated effects on their food security in Kenya using data collected from 540 farmers from six counties. A multivariate probit, censored least absolute deviation (CLAD), and propensity score matching (PSM) models were employed to identify the determinants in the farmers' choice of climate change adaptation strategies, the number of adaptation strategies adopted, and the effect of climate change adaptation strategies on their food security, respectively. Results show that planting drought-tolerant crop varieties (55%), growing diversified crops (34%), growing early maturing crops (22%), and diversifying the sources of household income (18%) were the four major adaptation strategies used by the farmers in the study area. Younger farmers and those with higher education levels are more likely to use these climate change adaptation practices. The number of adaptation strategies used was positively associated with male farmers, education level, family size, land size, farm income, extension contact, training, and information access. The farmers who adopt one adaptation strategy have higher food security status (approximately 7-11%) than those who do not. If they adopt two adaptation strategies, their food security status increases by approximately 11-14%; if they adopt three adaptation strategies, their food security status increases by nearly 12-15%; and if they adopt four adaptation practices, their food security status increases by about 14-18%, compared to those who do not adopt any strategy. Thus, the farmers' climate change adaptation practices have positive food security effects in Kenya according to the number of adaptation strategies adopted. يهدد تغير المناخ استدامة الإنتاج الغذائي بين المزارعين في كينيا الذين يعتمدون على الزراعة البعلية. لتقليل الآثار السلبية لتغير المناخ، سعى المزارعون إلى اعتماد استراتيجيات تكيف مختلفة. تبحث هذه الدراسة في العوامل التي تؤثر على اختيار المزارعين لاستراتيجيات التكيف مع تغير المناخ والآثار المرتبطة بها على أمنهم الغذائي في كينيا باستخدام البيانات التي تم جمعها من 540 مزارعًا من ست مقاطعات. تم استخدام نماذج متعددة المتغيرات، وأقل انحراف مطلق خاضع للرقابة (CLAD)، ومطابقة درجة الميل (PSM) لتحديد المحددات في اختيار المزارعين لاستراتيجيات التكيف مع تغير المناخ، وعدد استراتيجيات التكيف المعتمدة، وتأثير استراتيجيات التكيف مع تغير المناخ على أمنهم الغذائي، على التوالي. تظهر النتائج أن زراعة أصناف المحاصيل المقاومة للجفاف (55 ٪)، وزراعة المحاصيل المتنوعة (34 ٪)، وزراعة المحاصيل الناضجة المبكرة (22 ٪)، وتنويع مصادر دخل الأسرة (18 ٪) كانت استراتيجيات التكيف الرئيسية الأربع التي استخدمها المزارعون في منطقة الدراسة. من المرجح أن يستخدم المزارعون الأصغر سنًا وأولئك الذين لديهم مستويات تعليم أعلى ممارسات التكيف مع تغير المناخ هذه. وارتبط عدد استراتيجيات التكيف المستخدمة ارتباطًا إيجابيًا بالمزارعين الذكور، ومستوى التعليم، وحجم الأسرة، وحجم الأرض، ودخل المزرعة، والاتصال الإرشادي، والتدريب، والوصول إلى المعلومات. يتمتع المزارعون الذين يتبنون استراتيجية تكيف واحدة بحالة أمن غذائي أعلى (حوالي 7-11 ٪) من أولئك الذين لا يتبنونها. إذا اعتمدوا استراتيجيتين للتكيف، فإن وضعهم في مجال الأمن الغذائي يزداد بنحو 11-14 ٪ ؛ وإذا اعتمدوا ثلاث استراتيجيات للتكيف، فإن وضعهم في مجال الأمن الغذائي يزداد بنحو 12-15 ٪ ؛ وإذا اعتمدوا أربع ممارسات للتكيف، فإن وضعهم في مجال الأمن الغذائي يزداد بنحو 14-18 ٪، مقارنة بأولئك الذين لا يعتمدون أي استراتيجية. وبالتالي، فإن ممارسات التكيف مع تغير المناخ للمزارعين لها آثار إيجابية على الأمن الغذائي في كينيا وفقًا لعدد استراتيجيات التكيف المعتمدة.

Abstract In the agricultural sector, labour shortage, and increase in wages resulting from out-migration, and the necessity to employ sustainable intensification practices to minimise the use of inputs such as water, fertilizer, and energy, calls for investment in the mechanisation of small-scale farms in South Asia (SA). Therefore, this study investigates the mechanisation process undertaken in SA with a special reference to India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, where agriculture, an important source of rural livelihoods, is adversely affected by out-migration and the depletion of natural resources. This study finds that tractors (74%), pumps (72%), threshers (65%), harvesters (23%), and power tillers (16%) are the predominantly used farm machinery in SA. Farm mechanisation is most widespread in India, followed by Nepal and Bangladesh, though the types of machinery used vary across them. Multivariate probit model shows that male headship, access to credit and extension services, economic status, and training positively influence farm mechanisation. Hence, along with enhanced provision for credit and training, an agricultural policy that aims to improve access to farm machinery should target marginalised and poor farmers to sustain agricultural production and ensure food security.

Artículo EDITORIAL Frente. Sostener. Food Syst., 10 de mayo de 2023Sec. Movimientos Sociales, Instituciones y Gobernanza Volumen 7 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1180037 Article ÉDITORIAL Front. Sustain. Food Syst., 10 mai 2023Sec. Mouvements sociaux, institutions et gouvernance Volume 7 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1180037 EDITORIAL article Front. Sustain. Food Syst., 10 May 2023Sec. Social Movements, Institutions and Governance Volume 7 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1180037 مقالة افتتاحية Front. Sustain. نظام الغذاء، 10 مايو 2023 ثانية. الحركات والمؤسسات والحوكمة الاجتماعية المجلد 7 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1180037

Agriculture in South Asia is vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, adaptation measures are required to sustain agricultural productivity, to reduce vulnerability, and to enhance the resilience of the agricultural system to climate change. There are many adaptation practices in the production systems that have been proposed and tested for minimizing the effects of climate change. Some socioeconomic and political setup contributes to adaptation, while others may inhibit it. This paper presents a systematic review of the impacts of climate change on crop production and also the major options in the agricultural sector that are available for adaptation to climate change. One of the key conclusions is that agricultural practices that help climate change adaptation in agriculture are available, while the institutional setup to implement and disseminate those technical solutions is yet to be strengthened. Thus, it is important to examine how to bring the required institutional change, generate fund to invest on these changes, and design dynamic policies for long-term climate change adaptation in agriculture rather than a mere focus on agricultural technology. This is one of the areas where South Asian climate policies require reconsidering to avoid possible maladaptation in the long run.