Economic Growth, Access to Clean Fuels & Technologies for Cooking, and Renewable Energy Consumption: Case of South Asian Economies

Abstract

Economic growth—through growth affordability, growth investments, and growth-awareness associations—may lead to increased access to clean fuel and technologies for cooking (ACF&T). The current paper presents the trend and comparative analyses regarding GDP per capita, access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking, and renewable energy consumption (REC) in the South Asian economies. The data from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan between 2000 and 2020 shows a strong positive correlation between GDP per capita and access to clean cooking technologies. India has made the most significant improvements, followed by Pakistan and Bangladesh. All three economies negatively correlate GDP per capita and renewable energy consumption. Bangladesh shows the steepest decline, followed by India and Pakistan, indicating a more pronounced shift towards nonrenewable energy sources as economic prosperity increases. The study concludes that economic development often involves transitioning from traditional renewable energy sources (such as biomass) to more modern, nonrenewable energy sources (such as fossil fuels), often more efficient and reliable for industrial and large-scale energy needs. Hence, developing infrastructure and industrial sectors might lead to higher consumption of nonrenewable energy sources. This points to a potential challenge for sustainable development, as increased economic prosperity might be accompanied by more significant environmental impact unless there are concerted efforts to promote renewable energy sources.