The Effects of Access to Clean Fuels and Technologies for Cooking on Deforestation in Developing Countries

The economic literature is unanimous on the fact that access to clean fuels has positive externalities on the different dimensions of welfare. However, the effects on deforestation are less known despite the existing relationship between the use of certain fuels and forest degradation. This study focuses on the effect of access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking on deforestation in developing countries. We examine this relationship going from a sample of 92 countries during the 2000 to 2015 period. The results show that access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking slow down deforestation. Based on its findings, the study suggests an urgent need of policy measures focusing on provision of clean fuels and technologies for cooking to households to reduce deforestation in developing countries. Moreover, the proportion of arable land has a significant effect on deforestation. The government must therefore regulate agricultural investments in countries with large arable land to reduce deforestation.