Webinar: Toward a Richer Understanding of the Use of Clean and Polluting Fuels in India

Speakers: Carlos F. Gould, Sasmita Patnaik

Widespread biomass use for daily household cooking needs remains a large environmental health risk globally, but ongoing transition to clean fuels like gas offer the potential of substantial health and environmental benefits. Despite the popularity of clean fuels, most adopting households continue to use biomass fuels for some of their needs – a practice termed fuel stacking. We discuss the results from two studies. In the first, we examine the drivers of the adoption and use of LPG in rural India in a two-stage model. We show that, even controlling for baseline socio-economic and demographic differences, households acquiring LPG through Ujjwala consume about 30% less LPG than general customers. In the second, we use in-depth survey data from 2,750 households in rural communities and urban slums in six north Indian states to examine patterns of fuel stacking. By discussing specific dimensions of household fuel use, like which fuels are used to cook individual dishes or to meet non-cooking energy end uses, we gain insights into the drivers of continued biomass fuel use. In this nuanced review of household fuel consumption, we aim to drive a discussion of strategies to accelerate transitions to near-exclusive clean fuel use.

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Keynote Speakers:

Carlos F. Gould is a doctoral candidate studying Environmental Health Science at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. His research examines the potential for transitions to cleaner environments to improve health through reductions in environmental exposures. His research seeks to identify important barriers and facilitators to clean cooking fuel adoption and use, assessing air pollution exposure after the adoption of a clean cooking fuel, and identifying the health effects of transitions to clean cooking fuels.

Sasmita Patnaik currently works as a Programme Lead at CEEW (Council on Energy, Environment and Water). Her work largely focuses on the intersection of developmental issues including environment, health and labour. At The Council, she is currently handling projects on access to energy for healthcare, cooking and income generation. In her research, she is keen to understand the nuances of socio-economic contexts that define access to, and use of, energy.

Sasmita has six years of research experience in rural development, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. She has co-authored research on social entrepreneurship and facilitated multi-stakeholder projects across sectors. She has also conducted strategic research to support project development for donors and non-profits. Her work in sustainability involved assessment of policies and practices of industries on biodiversity and land use, health and safety, and carbon emissions.