Gospel or curse: the impact of religious beliefs on energy poverty in rural China

Energy poverty, especially in rural areas, has become a central focus of scholarly and policy discussions. However, there is a significant gap in understanding the impact of religious beliefs on this phenomenon. This paper utilizes household survey data from the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS) spanning three waves (2012, 2014, and 2016) to examine the causal link between religious beliefs and energy poverty, covering clean energy accessibility and affordability among rural residents. The analysis unveils a substantial positive influence of religious beliefs on the likelihood of experiencing energy poverty, especially concerning accessibility and affordability, with effects particularly pronounced among males, ethnic minorities, and low-income groups. Low income and education are identified as pivotal mediating factors through which religious beliefs contribute to energy poverty. The findings offer insights for strategies to mitigate energy poverty in rural China, emphasizing the role of religious beliefs.