Multidimensional deprivation as a barrier to the transition to clean cooking fuels: an analysis of households in Burkina Faso

Purpose This research aims to analyze the effect of multidimensional deprivation on households’ choices to adopt clean cooking fuels in Burkina Faso. By focusing on the non-monetary dimensions of well-being, particularly access to basic social services, education and health care, the analysis seeks to understand the extent to which multidimensional poverty constitutes a structural constraint to the adoption of clean cooking fuels in Burkina Faso. Design/methodology/approach The empirical analysis is based on data from the Harmonized Survey of Household Living Conditions, which provides national coverage and detailed information on household socioeconomic characteristics and the types of fuels used for cooking. Multidimensional poverty is understood through deprivations related to access to education, health care and basic social services. To account for the discrete nature of cooking fuel choices and potential endogeneity issues between multidimensional poverty and energy choice, the analysis uses a conditional mixed process model and a control function approach. Findings Econometric results show that multidimensional deprivation reduces the probability of using butane gas and charcoal by 38.52 and 32.59 percentage points, respectively, and significantly increases the probability of using firewood by 26.85 percentage points. Households facing deprivation of access to basic social services, education and health care are less likely to use clean fuels for cooking. Furthermore, the estimates reveal that household size, age, place of residence and education level significantly influence the decision to transition to clean cooking fuels in Burkina Faso. Research limitations/implications The use of cross-sectional data from the 2021 EHCVM does not allow for the analysis of the temporal dynamics of the transition to clean cooking fuels. This research has important implications for public policy. The findings suggest that promoting clean cooking fuels cannot be effective without a comprehensive reduction in multidimensional poverty. Energy policies would therefore benefit from being integrated into broader strategies aimed at improving access to education, health care and basic social services, to address the structural constraints that hinder the adoption of clean energy. Originality/value The originality of this research lies in its integrated approach to the domestic energy transition, using multidimensional poverty as its central analytical framework. Unlike studies primarily focused on income or energy prices, it highlights the crucial role of non-monetary deprivation in cooking fuel choices. Methodologically, it contributes to the literature by taking into account the potential endogeneity problems between multidimensional poverty and energy choice through the use of a conditional mixed process model coupled with a control function approach.