Year of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Economics

Department or School/College

Department of Economics

Committee Chair

Dr. Katrina Mullan

Commitee Members

Dr. Jeff Bookwalter, Dr. Sarah J. Halvorson

Keywords

Energy Poverty, Reforestation, Forest Plantation, Poverty, Uganda

Subject Categories

Agricultural and Resource Economics | Econometrics | Economic Theory | Environmental Studies | Growth and Development

Abstract

This study investigates the socio-economic impacts of reforestation initiatives on energy poverty in three Ugandan districts—Hoima, Dokolo, and Nakasongola. Implemented by the Ugandan National Forest Authority, these efforts aim to mitigate the adverse effects of deforestation, exacerbated by a growing population and increased demand for forest products. We hypothesize that through sustainable afforestation, access to biomass and other renewable energy sources can be improved, thereby alleviating energy poverty. The study establishes a causal relationship between reforestation and reductions in energy poverty and general poverty using advanced econometric methods, such as Ordinary Least Squares regression, Weighting, and matching techniques including Propensity Score Matching and Nearest Neighbor Matching. This approach significantly deviates from traditional methods which rely predominantly on descriptive statistics, and it utilizes primary data from survey fieldwork and secondary data from the 2014 Uganda National Population and Housing Census. Key explanatory variables include the plantation stage (categorized as harvested vs not harvested) is identified to capture the various stages of planting and harvesting. The theoretical framework associates mature (harvested) plantations with lower energy poverty due to a stable biomass supply. The analysis employs four indices to assess the impacts: two Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) indices and two Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) indices. The energy poverty index, a multidimensional index, includes variables such as the type of cooking fuel, access to electricity, and household appliances. The general poverty index accesses broader health, living standards, and education metrics. Preliminary results show the harvested stage notably decreases energy poverty, emphasizing its role in reforestation and poverty reduction. The impact of other plantation stages varies, with household characteristics and socioeconomic factors significantly influencing energy poverty levels. This research contributes to understanding the multifaceted role of forest plantations in addressing energy poverty and highlights the necessity of integrating energy policy with sustainable forestry management. The findings are geared towards assisting policymakers and stakeholders in formulating strategies that balance environmental sustainability with reducing energy poverty, especially in developing countries like Uganda. These insights and recommendations are also relevant for similar initiatives in other Sub-Saharan African countries

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