Regional : Maximizing Poverty Alleviation and Gender Co-benefits through Innovative Clean Energy Solutions in Asia and the Pacific

Energy / Electricity transmission and distribution - Energy efficiency and conservation - Energy sector development and institutional reform - Renewable energy generation - biomass and waste - Renewable energy generation - small hydro - Renewable energy generation - solar - Renewable energy generation - wind

The proposed knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will support developing member countries (DMCs) of Asian Development Bank pursue clean energy development that fosters poverty alleviation and gender development through: (i) identifying innovative clean energy technologies and business models that could be scaled up; (ii) pilot testing of innovative clean energy technologies and business models; (iii) capacity building, and knowledge sharing and dissemination for the stakeholders in the DMCs; and (iv) updating and monitoring of trust funds for clean energy development.

The proposed TA is aligned with ADB's strategy 2030, specifically the operational priorities for tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability; addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities; promoting rural development and food security; accelerating progress in gender equality; and strengthening governance and institutional capacity. Aligned with the 2021 Energy Policy and global commitments under the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the proposed TA supports sustainable and resilient energy systems. It will provide reliable and affordable access for all while fostering inclusive economic growth and social development, and supporting the low-carbon transition in Asia and the Pacific. This proposed TA is included in the 2022 management-approved results-based work plan of the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department.

Much of the earlier efforts to provide affordable and clean energy went to providing electricity access. The developing countries in Asia and the Pacific have experienced significant improvements in energy access, from 74% of the population having access to electricity in 2005 to 87% in 2015, and the most recent data estimate 96% in 2019. Still, about 155 million people remain without access to electricity in 2019 and many are in rural areas, which recorded a lower electricity access rate of 94% compared with urban at 99%. Many of those without access are located in isolated mountains and islands where grid extensions are not viable.

Aside from electricity access, access to sustainable clean cooling and heating, and clean cooking are requiring more attention as they increasingly consume energy and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting across several sectorsi.e., energy, agriculture, industry, services, residential, among othersaccess to clean cooling is necessary for socioeconomic development and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Rapid economic growth, adjoined by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has increased the demand for cooling facilities and technologies , as cooling is essential in food and nutrition security, safe medicines, healthcare services, productivity, and well-being. Improving energy efficiency and introducing energy efficient technologies are therefore needed for cooling to contribute in accelerating the low-carbon transition in the region. For instance, in Southeast Asia, without stronger measures to encourage the uptake of more efficient systems, cooling is foreseen to be responsible for as much as 30% share in the sub-region's peak electricity demand. DMCs in South Asia are also facing warmer climates and would be in need of viable clean cooling solutions, while rural and peri-urban poor in Central, West, and East Asia, who tend to have limited energy access to district heating and electricity, would benefit from innovative clean heating solutions.

Meanwhile, only 57% of the population in developing Asia has access to clean cooking in 2018. This translates to about 1.67 billion who has no access to clean cooking, in which approximately 1.46 billion still rely on traditional use of biomass. Provision of clean modern cooking usually entails small investments but has ripple effects socially and environmentally. Women tend to be exposed to various air pollutants as they spend the most time looking for cooking fuels and they take care of a household's kitchen. Children, who are more often left with the mothers at home, are more likely to be exposed to the same pollutants. Adoption of clean and modern cooking will improve health and general well-being.

ADB has been active in supporting energy access for all and promoting the uptake of clean energy. Over the period 2008 to 2020, ADB invested $10.3 billion, which provided energy access to about 35.6 million households. In the five years to 2020, clean energy investments represented about 43% of ADB's total energy portfolio. Clean energy investments for the said period amounted to $8.5 billion, wherein 58% supported renewable energy and 42% were invested in energy efficiency. While ADB has been supporting energy access under its Energy for All Initiatives, many of the rural areas still have no access or are encumbered with limited, unreliable service using traditional fuels. In its 2020 energy sector evaluation report, ADB is encouraged to expand its efforts in small and widely dispersed projects such as distributed and off-grid energy systems, and demand-side energy efficiency such as more efficient and cleaner technologies for cooling, heating, and cooking.

Through the provision of affordable and clean energy, this proposed TA aims to contribute to the poverty and gender nexus by improving access to resources, decision-making, and control. Women usually have less decision-making role in their household and community, restricting their ability to influence processes and resource allocation on many issues including energy. Access to clean and affordable energy for electricity and cooking is a core dimension of poverty. It can lead to sustainable livelihood opportunities that would assuage women's workload, and empower them. Maximizing the benefits of access to energy can lead to better social and health services, and sustainable livelihood opportunities that would help meet women's strategic needs and contribute to uplifting their family's social and economic status and improving their quality of life.

Low-carbon and inclusive socioeconomic development with emphasis on gender equality promoted.

Access of selected DMCs to clean, inclusive, gender responsive energy solutions increased.

Scaling up of innovative clean energy technologies and inclusive business models supported

Pilot projects using innovative clean energy technologies and business models implemented

Capacity-building and knowledge-sharing on clean energy conducted

Administration and monitoring of the CEFPF funds facilitated