Impact of civil conflict on household energy choices: Implications for the clean energy transition

Abstract

Achieving universal access to clean energy requires a transition from high-carbon-intensive fuels to less carbon-intensive options. However, several factors can prevent countries and households from reaching this goal. One such barrier is the impact of civil conflict on households’ clean energy choices. This study looks at how Nepal’s decade-long civil conflict between 1996 and 2006 affected household access to clean lighting and cooking fuels. Our findings show that higher levels of conflict intensity decrease the likelihood of households having access to clean energy sources. Further, we propose household income loss, market and infrastructure destruction, and resource shifts towards defence are possible mechanisms through which conflict affects household clean fuel choices. This result reveals the important, but often overlooked, negative effect of civil conflict on the clean energy transition in developing countries.