What the study found
Clean energy use has increased substantially in low-income and middle-income countries over the past three decades, but millions still lack reliable and affordable access to electricity and clean cooking fuels. The authors also note that simple access measures can overstate the health and equity effects of energy transitions.
Why the authors say this matters
The study suggests that moving beyond binary access indicators, such as whether someone has an electricity connection, is important because these measures can miss fuel stacking, changing patterns of energy use, and the gendered burden of polluting fuels. The authors conclude that meaningful gains require inclusive, evidence-based strategies that address inequities and support affordability and reliability.
What the researchers tested
This Series paper explored the drivers of clean energy adoption, assessed tools for tracking progress, and examined barriers to cleaner energy use. It drew on historical trends and national policies across low-income and middle-income countries.
What worked and what didn't
The paper reports that targeted subsidies, robust supply chains, and coordinated investments have helped increase clean fuel use. It also identifies persistent barriers, including high costs, unreliable supply, and insufficient availability, and it says simplistic metrics such as Sustainable Development Goal 7's binary indicators risk overstating progress.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes broad regional trends and policy lessons, but it does not provide detailed study limitations in the available summary. The paper's concerns about metrics are specific to the ways access is measured and interpreted in the abstract.
Key points
- Clean energy use has risen substantially in low-income and middle-income countries over the past three decades.
- Millions still lack reliable and affordable access to electricity and clean cooking fuels.
- The authors say binary access indicators can miss fuel stacking and changing patterns of energy use.
- Targeted subsidies, robust supply chains, and coordinated investments are reported to have increased clean fuel use.
- Persistent barriers include high costs, unreliable supply, and insufficient availability.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Clean energy use rose, but major barriers remain
- Authors:
- Annelise Gill-Wiehl, Carlos Gould, Marc Jeuland, Ajay Pillarisetti, Shonali Pachauri, Rebekah Shirley, Karin Troncoso, Darby Jack, Matthew Leach, Simon Batchelor, Laura H Kwong, Daniel M Kammen
- Institutions:
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, University of California San Diego, Duke University, Duke Institute for Health Innovation, Berkeley Public Health Division, University of California, Berkeley, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, World Bank, University of Surrey, Loughborough University, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-17
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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