The impacts of cash transfers on household energy choices

There are sizeable energy access deficits in the developing world. Leveraging panel data from experimental impact evaluations of three unconditional cash transfer programs Malawi and Zambia, we investigate how ultra-poor households rural areas adapt their portfolios when experiencing exogenous increases income. Households make several changes to primary fuel sources that they use on a regular basis after receiving 3 4 years transfers—moving fires torches for lighting purposes reducing collected firewood cooking purposes. In general, more likely income-induced adjustments fuels than fuels. While facilitating some movement away (arguably most inferior source), transfers rarely enable completely abandon this fuel. This is understandable given range pressing needs facing beneficiary households—such as food security, enhancement which purpose programs. Although recipient able meet greater share with relatively improved (such charcoal/coal Zambia) obtain assets generating solar power, observed impacts unlikely be large enough lead meaningful health lower respiratory disease via reductions indoor air pollution). However, appear enhance well-being other ways through channel—for example, by time spend foraging resources.