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Coordinated actions to protect biodiversity, incorporate renewable energy, and implement climate action are needed for sustainable development to be achieved in the context of global challenges like climate change, ecosystem destruction, and resource depletion. Climate action seeks to reduce the negative impact and strengthen the adaptive capacity of natural and human society. Climate action includes both adaptation and mitigation strategies. The transition to renewable power sources is of utmost importance to climate action because it helps to slow environmental degradation, curtail fossil fuel dependence, and significantly diminish greenhouse gas emissions. The adoption of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, is more environmentally friendly than conventional energy sources, but it may also pose potential risks towards biodiversity, so measures should be taken in planning to avoid negative environmental impacts. It is crucial to protect biodiversity around the world because it plays an important role in the delivery of ecosystem services such as soil fertility, pollination, water purification, and the sequestration of carbon that are vital to people’s existence. In addition, strong ecosystems reduce the severity of climate change impacts, such as storms, droughts, and flooding. However, there may be trade-offs when striving for the increase of renewable energy and biodiversity conservation. Renewable energy development should always be complemented with biodiversity protection. This approach preserves the environmentally delicate ecosystems that are crucial to achieving climate action targets. The combination of climate action, renewable energy, and the need for biodiversity makes it possible to reap many benefits. These include stronger ecosystems and better human health, as well as economic growth and job creation. One example of such a nature-based solution is agrovoltaics, which combines solar energy production and farming. Restoring ecosystems, like forests or wetlands, can also greatly enhance carbon sequestration, reduce global warming, and protect endangered wildlife. This strategy aligns with international initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), specifically SDGs 7, 13, and 15. It serves as a building block towards a more sustainable future. Despite the clear possibilities of synergy, there are still barriers that must be tackled. Policy fragmentation, resource competition, and lack of inter-sector cooperation are some of the challenges that inhibit effective integration. Therefore, equitable governance and the adoption of nature-based techniques are essential.
Evaluating multidimensional energy poverty of South Asian countries: An in-depth analysis using household surveys
Article ID: 3154
Vol 3, Issue 1, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54517/ssd3154
Vol 3, Issue 1, 2025
Received: 12 December 2024; Accepted: 16 February 2025; Available online: 27 February 2025; Issue release: 28 February 2025
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Abstract
This study examines the multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI), headcount ratio, and intensity in six South Asian countries. Using two datasets (India, 2005 and 2015), (Bangladesh, 2011 and 2017), (Afghanistan, 2010 and 2015), (Pakistan, 2012 and 2017), (Nepal, 2011 and 2016), and (the Maldives, 2009 and 2016), this study employs an adjusted MEPI to compare each country’s effort in multidimensional energy poverty reduction (2005 to 2017). The empirical results indicate that India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Maldives significantly reduced MEPI, headcount ratio, and intensity compared to past years. However, in the case of Afghanistan, MEPI and the headcount ratio increased. The empirical results further indicate that although there has been a significant reduction in MEPI, the deprivation of modern cooking fuel and access to electricity remains high in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. The study invites attention towards clean energy sources and proposes that if these countries provide modern energy fuel to households, a significant reduction is possible in the MEPI score. In our study, the results obtained with modern cooking fuel significantly dropped MEPI, headcount ratio, and intensity. These findings explain the necessary attention toward multidimensional energy poverty reduction strategies in South Asia and other developing countries.
Keywords
multidimensional energy poverty; multidimensional energy poverty reduction; multidimensional energy poverty index; South Asia; policy implications
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