A novel political ecology approach to low-carbon energy transition in rural Ghana

Abstract

Despite clean energy solutions being critical for sustainable development, their uptake in the Global South has been slow. This research lays down the fundamentals for rethinking energy transition by reviewing the theoretical perspectives of energy justice, socio-technical transitions, and political ecology and presents a plausible way to approach an equitable low-carbon transition using political ecology as a broad framework. Drawing on primary data collected in the Kwahu Afram Plains North and South Districts of Ghana, the research examines the residential energy situation of off-grid rural communities, an understudied region where access is largely described as the provision of an energy source. It explores household energy decisions, perspectives on the energy-environment-livelihoods nexus and the role of key actors in the transition process, recognising their influence on clean energy adoption. The findings highlight how political dynamics shape energy distribution, often reinforcing existing inequalities. Energy access is identified as not solely a technological challenge but a broader socio-political issue constrained by affordability, availability and limited household knowledge. Economic ties to charcoal production further hinders households’ clean energy adoption, demonstrating how local livelihoods intersects with energy choices. Despite the involvement of both the state and non-state actors, the findings indicate that the transition process lacks coordination due to competition among private clean energy providers and weak collaboration between actors. Various forms of exclusions and injustices are found to characterise transition at the household level. The findings of this research thus, offer valuable insights for charting future directions to attain transition objectives, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and African Union’s Agenda 2063.