What is it about?
The paper investigates how internal conflicts impact energy poverty using data from 94 countries between 1996 and 2021. It finds that internal conflicts, by damaging energy infrastructure and displacing populations, significantly worsen energy poverty by limiting access to electricity and clean cooking technologies. The study shows that countries experiencing conflict see increased energy deprivation, with the effects more pronounced in severe conflicts and among internally displaced populations. These findings highlight the need for targeted policies to mitigate the impact of conflicts on energy access and poverty.
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Why is it important?
The paper is important because it highlights the often-overlooked connection between internal conflicts and energy poverty. Energy access is critical for economic development, education, health, and overall quality of life. When conflicts occur, they not only disrupt societies but also damage vital infrastructure, cutting off access to electricity and clean cooking resources. This deepens energy poverty, especially in already vulnerable populations. By identifying the specific ways conflict exacerbates energy poverty, the study sheds light on a key barrier to achieving global goals like Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims for universal energy access by 2030. It also underscores the importance of designing conflict-sensitive energy policies and providing humanitarian aid that addresses energy needs in conflict zones.
Perspectives
From my perspective, this paper is particularly significant because it brings attention to an issue that has far-reaching consequences beyond just energy access—it touches on human dignity, security, and development. Energy poverty is often seen as a technical problem, but this research shows it is deeply intertwined with political and social issues like conflict. In regions affected by internal conflicts, the lack of reliable energy doesn't just hinder economic activities, it impacts education, healthcare, and basic daily survival. For displaced populations or those in conflict zones, losing access to energy compounds their hardships, making recovery and rebuilding efforts far more difficult. This paper is crucial because it highlights a systemic issue: when conflict destroys energy infrastructure, it creates a cycle of poverty that can persist long after the fighting ends. In my view, this underscores the need for integrating energy access into peacebuilding and conflict resolution strategies, ensuring that even in the face of conflict, vulnerable populations can still access the energy resources essential for survival and development.
Dr. Usman Khalid
United Arab Emirates University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Does conflict aggravate energy poverty?, Energy Policy, November 2024, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2024.114317.
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