Conference Paper

Powering Minds, Empowering Lives: Understanding the Effects of Energy Poverty- Low-Carbon Energy Transition Nexus on Children in MENA

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No.

ERF_31_PO196

Publisher

ERF

Date

March, 2025

Topic

I3. Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty

Abstract
Author(s)

Energy poverty in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region profoundly affects millions, particularly children, with significant implications for health outcomes. This paper investigates the relationship between energy poverty, low-carbon energy transition, climate change and child health across eleven MENA countries. Utilizing a modified Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) and high-resolution temperature data, we analyze child stunting, wasting, infant mortality, and neonatal mortality across multiple countries. Our findings indicate that higher energy poverty is significantly associated with increased stunting in Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia. Female children exhibit lower probabilities of stunting in most countries, although this result requires cautious interpretation due to potential region-specific anthropometric standards. Wealthier households generally show lower stunting rates, except in Jordan and Mauritania. For infant mortality, energy poverty shows a positive significant effect in Tunisia and Turkey, while extreme temperatures have limited but notable impacts in select countries, including a positive association in Comoros. These results underscore the necessity for targeted policies addressing energy poverty and climate resilience to improve child health outcomes in the MENA region.