Abstract
Human activities have been identified as a key source of greenhouse gas emissions and despite countries’ efforts and commitments to reducing future emissions, the effects of global warming are inevitable. The objective of this research study is to explore connections between multidimensional poverty and climate mitigation using
nationally representative panel data on Ghana. The construction of the multidimensional poverty index follows guidelines developed by the Ghana Statistical Service and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). A Correlated Random Effects (CRE) probit model is used to examine the relationship between multidimensional poverty and household-level food climate mitigation strategies. Results show important connections. The use of clean, mitigative strategies is associated more with male-headed, than with female headed households, and is more prominent in urban areas, compared to rural. Multidimensional poverty is
consistently associated with lower odds of climate mitigation. In the absence of access to basic social amenities and infrastructure like favourable living standards, good nutrition and quality education, individuals may see climate change adaptation and mitigation as secondary and less important welfare objectives. The additional effect of residing in urban areas for multidimensionally poor households, however, is to increase the odds of climate mitigation strategies. The information from this research is critical for the identification and tailoring of effective and equitable interventions and social policies that reflect the development needs of all Ghanaians, including the eradication of poverty in all its dimensions.
Keywords: multidimensional poverty; climate change mitigation; panel data, clean energy, Ghana
Manuscript submitted to Population and Environment | This paper was made possible by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York (Grant number: G-20-57628). The author(s) gratefully acknowledge support from the Future Africa Research Leader Fellowship (FAR-LeaF) Programme at the University of Pretoria. The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the author.
