The Unattainable Promise of LPG: Barriers Faced by Low-Income Households

Presenting a comprehensive analysis based on a recent USAID-ASAR study.

Clean energy is not just an environmental imperative. It has become a health and socioeconomic priority, especially for low-income households that predominantly depend on polluting fuels. In a  study, jointly conducted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ASAR, a social impact start-up, this issue was highlighted further. It revealed the challenges preventing the adoption of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) among low-income households in India. Despite the Indian government's push for LPG adoption, various factors, ranging from prohibitive costs to entrenched perceptions, hinder its widespread use. Moris Media, a leading digital marketing agency in India, aims to shed light on these barriers, providing insights from the ground-breaking USAID-ASAR study.

Challenges in LPG Adoption

LPG, heralded as a cleaner alternative to traditional biomass fuels, has yet to become the staple it was envisioned to be for low-income households in India. Several barriers have emerged, hindering its widespread adoption:

Limited Access:

One of the primary challenges is the sheer lack of access to LPG cylinders. For many households, particularly in remote or underserved areas, obtaining an LPG cylinder remains a significant hurdle.

Knowledge Gap:

A startling revelation from the study was that many households aren't even aware of the government schemes designed to aid them. This lack of knowledge translates to missed opportunities for securing LPG connections.

Prohibitive Pricing:

The cost of LPG cylinders poses another significant deterrent. Even if households can get a connection, the recurring cost of refills can be burdensome. This concern is exacerbated by the removal of subsidies and rising fuel prices.

Cultural and Perceptual Barriers:

Deep-rooted beliefs also play a role. Some households believe that food cooked on LPG is less tasty or even unhealthy. Additionally, safety concerns surrounding LPG usage deter many from making the switch.

Together, these challenges paint a complex picture of LPG adoption, highlighting that the issue is multifaceted and requires more than just providing access.

Perception vs. Reality: The Struggle of Choice

For many low-income bracket households, the decision to switch to LPG often witnesses perception battling reality.

Health Impact:

The health hazards associated with biomass burning, includes respiratory issues and other severe long-term health effects. Though these aspects are well-documented, many women, who generally take care of the household cooking, are unaware of these risks. Biomass burning produces toxic fumes, placing women, especially, at significant health risk.

Taste and Health Myths:

A prevailing perception suggests that food cooked on LPG lacks the authenticity and flavour of food prepared using traditional methods. Furthermore, there's a misplaced belief among some that LPG-cooked food is less healthy.

Safety Concerns:

The fear that LPG might lead to accidents, fuelled by occasional news reports of cylinder blasts, makes some households wary. This perception, combined with the challenges of obtaining and refilling cylinders, further discourages many from its sustained use.

Economic Realities:

Even as these perceptions persist, the reality of high refill costs and the absence of subsidies makes the switch to LPG economically challenging for many.

While LPG promises a cleaner, healthier cooking experience, the struggle between ingrained beliefs and harsh economic realities keeps many households anchored to traditional, more hazardous fuels.

The Gendered Aspect of Energy Consumption

Energy consumption in households, especially in the context of cooking fuels, is deeply intertwined with gender roles, particularly in traditional societies like India.

Primary Users:

In many Indian households, women are the primary cooks. They are the ones that have direct exposure to the smoke and pollutants from biomass burning. This  places them at higher risk for health issues, starting from mild respiratory problems and graduating to severe diseases.

Decision-making:

While women are the primary users of cooking fuel, they mostly do not decide the type of fuel being used or opting for cleaner alternatives. Economic constraints and traditional norms often dictate these decisions.

Lack of Awareness:

Neha Saigal from ASAR highlighted that women, despite being at the frontline of health risks from toxic fumes, remain largely unaware of the consequences. This lack of awareness further entrenches the use of polluting fuels.

Economic Strata and Gender:

The study underscores that women in lower socioeconomic brackets are particularly vulnerable. Not only do they face the brunt of health impacts, but cleaner alternatives like LPG remain out of reach due to affordability issues.

Therefore, the transition to cleaner fuels isn't just an environmental or economic issue; it's a gendered one. Addressing it requires acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by women in the energy consumption landscape.

Government Initiatives and Their Impact

The Indian government, recognizing the profound implications of cooking fuel choices, especially for marginalized populations, has been proactive in promoting cleaner alternatives.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY):

Launched in 2016, this flagship scheme aimed to provide LPG connections to poor and deprived households. The ambitious program was designed to shift millions away from the harmful effects of biomass and other polluting fuels.

Successes and Shortcomings:

While the PMUY has succeeded in its outreach, making LPG access available to a large section of the previously unreached population, the real challenge lies in its sustained use. Despite having an LPG connection, the continual use of LPG is not guaranteed, as highlighted by the study.

Economic Barriers:

A key hurdle to the continued use of LPG is the cost. The rise in fuel prices, coupled with the phasing out of government subsidies, has made refills an economic burden for many. This has inadvertently led low-income households to either revert to biomass or adopt a dual system, using both LPG and biomass.

Future Prospects:

For the true potential of such initiatives to be realized, it's crucial that policies not just focus on providing connections but also address the multifaceted barriers to sustained adoption.

While government initiatives have laid a solid foundation, more holistic approaches addressing economic, cultural, and awareness barriers are vital for cleaner fuel adoption.

The Economic Hurdle: Affordability of Refills

Affordability remains at the heart of India's challenges in transitioning to cleaner cooking fuels like LPG, especially among the low-income households.

Initial vs Recurring Costs:

While many low-income households have been able to obtain an LPG connection, possibly due to government schemes or initial subsidies, the recurring cost of cylinder refills is where the real challenge lies.

LPG Prices and Subsidies:

The recent trend of rising fuel prices, coupled with the phasing out of government subsidies, has meant that refilling an LPG cylinder has become an increasingly daunting expenditure for many families.

Compromised Choices:

When faced with the economic strain of refilling LPG cylinders, households often make a reluctant shift back to more hazardous fuels like biomass. Some adopt a mixed approach, using LPG for some cooking and biomass for others, failing to fully escape the health risks associated with biomass burning.

The Larger Impact:

This economic hurdle has larger ramifications. It not only affects the health of individuals, especially women, but also impacts India's environmental and sustainability goals.

The journey towards cleaner cooking fuel in India is not just about accessibility but also affordability. Addressing the economic barriers is key to ensuring a sustained and healthier shift to cleaner fuels.

The Way Forward

India stands at a pivotal juncture in its journey towards promoting cleaner fuels. The study from USAID and ASAR underscores the multifaceted challenges – economic, cultural, and informational – faced by low-income households. Addressing the affordability of LPG refills, combined with dispelling misconceptions about its use and ensuring gender inclusion in policymaking, is vital. It's not just about providing initial access but ensuring sustained utilization. The road ahead calls for concerted efforts, inclusive policies, and consistent public education. As India aspires to enhance its environmental and public health metrics, reimagining the approach to cleaner fuel promotion will be imperative.