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Despite extensive global efforts, energy poverty remains a persistent issue, primarily affecting developing countries. While there have been numerous policy initiatives proposed in the academic literature to alleviate energy poverty, the potential of energy poverty alleviation through financial inclusion has received limited attention. To address this issue, this study is conducted using survey data from the Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure Survey held during 2010 and 2016. A multilevel regression model is employed to identify the association between energy poverty and financial inclusion. The results reveal that households with financial inclusion experience significantly lower rates of acute and severe energy poverty by 13% and 33%, respectively, compared to those without financial inclusion. Moreover, to establish a causal relationship between financial inclusion and energy poverty, a propensity score matching and the Lewbel two-stage least square regression methods are employed in this paper. The findings indicate that female-headed households have a lower likelihood of severe energy poverty compared to male-headed households. Moreover, when comparing education levels within households, both males and females contribute equally to reducing energy poverty through financial inclusion. These research findings can inform policymakers in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 for universal access to affordable and modern energy. Role of gender in the financial inclusion-energy poverty nexus. [Display omitted] • This study investigates the gender dimensions of financial inclusion in addressing energy poverty. • Energy poverty exhibits notable disparities across different districts in Bangladesh. • A causal relationship exists between financial inclusion and energy poverty. • The study underscores financial inclusion as a significant policy approach for mitigating energy poverty. • Financial inclusion plays a crucial role in empowering female-headed households to effectively eradicate energy poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children are considered to be especially vulnerable to energy poverty; however, there has been little empirical research on how energy poverty affects early childhood development in energy-poor countries. To overcome this, here we measure energy poverty and early child development using a multidimensional approach based on data from national multiple indicator cluster surveys (MICS). Using this data, we utilize mediation techniques to empirically investigate the impact of energy poverty on early childhood development using two mediators, namely living standards and child health. The results suggest that energy poverty hampers childhood development through living standards and child health. Findings also confirm that early childhood development has a statistically significant relationship with the living standard of a household, child health, gender, age, home environment, quality of the care of the child, the mother's education level, education level of the household head and the region of residence. Finally, we propose viable policy strategies to prevent energy poverty to ensure proper child development for future generations to achieve relevant SDGs in the investigated nations. [Display omitted] • Calculation of adjusted multidimensional energy poverty score for energy poor nations. • Calculation of multidimensional early childhood development index. • Mediation analysis is employed using multiple indicator cluster survey data. • Energy poverty hampers childhood development through living standards and child health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of effective energy policy interventions on reducing energy poverty in the emerging nations of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Existing literature lacks a detailed investigation into the connection between energy policy and sustainable energy development for addressing energy poverty. Consequently, this work explores the dynamics of energy policy interventions in alleviating energy poverty in 42 emerging economies in the APAC region by engaging enhanced econometric approaches and panel estimates covering the period of 2000–2019. Analyzing the accessibility of energy, clean cooking fuel and technologies, and energy consumption level, this paper investigates energy poverty from a macro standpoint considering energy policy interventions in APAC emerging nations. The results suggest that energy policies, comprising laws, regulations, and strategies, are negatively associated with energy poverty. Among these, well-planned, forward-looking strategies are more successful in alleviating energy poverty. The implications of this study provide a framework for formulating necessary energy policies to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy for all. Role of Energy policies interventions on energy poverty. [Display omitted] • Effective energy policy intervention in alleviating energy poverty is evaluated. • Energy policies, comprising laws, regulations, and strategies, are negatively associated with energy poverty. • Well-planned strategies are more effective in eradicating energy poverty. • The right energy policies contribute to accomplishing SDG-7, which is affordable and clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]