Empirical Analysis of the Effects of Renewable Energy Consumption on Gender Inequalities in Southern Africa

Abstract

The shift to renewable energy presents a rare opportunity for sustainable improvement of socio-economic outcomes for women and reduction of gender inequality while limiting the negative impacts of climate change especially in developing countries. This study analyses the effects of renewable energy consumption on gender inequality using robust fixed effects panel regression methodology, the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index and World Bank’s development indicators for the period (2002-2021). The analysis explores both linear and non-linear effects and the results reveal that renewable energy consumption has a positive relationship with gender inequalities in the selected Southern African countries. The positive coefficient suggests that the benefits of the clean energy shift are unevenly distributed because higher gender inequality Index values indicate increased gender inequality. However, this effect diminishes as clean energy consumption increases. These results are contrary to expectations that energy transitions provide socio-economic pathways for inclusive economic development. Which suggests that that renewable energy expansion may be contextual and reinforce existing gender inequalities in some regions. Based on the findings, there is urgent need for the prioritisation of gender sensitive renewable energy expansion and full participation of women in energy initiatives as Southern African nations move towards clean energy consumption.