Urban Household Energy Transition

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 as a social issue. Yet as this book demonstrates the movement away from traditional fuels has a strong socio-economic 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 25000 household energy 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 geographic biological and socioeconomic 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.