Household-based factors affecting uptake of biogas plants in Bangladesh: Implications for sustainable development

The growing energy demand and climatic adversities call for an emergent transition to renewables such as biogas technology; however, uptake of such technologies remains far from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This study identified and examined household-based factors affecting decisions regarding the sustainable uptake of biogas plants. In this regard, 262 biogas consumers and 312 non consumers of the Dhaka Division (Bangladesh) were included in the sample for this research. Data were examined using a logistic regression analysis. The core findings are as follows: Firstly, the household head's education, sex, annual household income, cattle ownership, annual crop yield, knowledge of biogas plants, distance from firewood sources, and acquisition of credit and loans imparted a positive and statistically significant effect on the uptake of biogas plants. Secondly, accessibility to technical assistance, distance from the water source, and access to grid-electricity inhibited biogas plant uptake. Thirdly, the uptake of biogas plants increases with the increase in individuals' age. However, after reaching a particular age, individuals begin to reduce biogas plants' uptake. Finally, household size remained a neutral factor in the uptake of biogas plants. Rural-scale biogas specialization, changes in governmental tactics, technological awareness, and females' participation are suggested to improve biogas plant uptake.(c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.