Access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is the cornerstone of economic growth, human development, and climate resilience. Yet in many low and middle-income countries, energy systems remain underdeveloped, carbon-intensive, and vulnerable to shocks, limiting industrialization, urbanization, and livelihoods. Addressing the dual challenges of expanding access to clean energy while reducing emissions requires evidence on technology adoption, financing mechanisms, governance structures, and sustainable energy policy instruments. CEPDIME’s Energy, Environment and Climate Change theme explores the nexus between energy, environment, climate change and development. CEPDIME partners with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to generate rigorous and actionable evidence on energy transition, access, climate finance and investment, sustainable energy infrastructure, and climate adaptation, supporting inclusive, low-carbon, and resilient development across diverse settings.
Three core questions emerge from this thematic synthesis:
a) How can energy access be expanded while minimizing environmental impact?
Many developing and low-income countries struggle to provide affordable clean energy to households, firms, and industry without increasing carbon emissions or environmental degradation. Critical evidence gaps remain on the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of renewable energy, mini-grids, and energy efficiency interventions. Key issues for research and policy include:
- Mechanisms to expand electricity access to underserved rural and urban areas.
- Policy and regulatory frameworks that incentivize low-carbon investments.
- Financing instruments and market structures to mobilize private and public capital for energy transition.
- Integrating energy access with industrial development, urban growth, and climate adaptation objectives.
b) What institutional and governance constraints hinder sustainable energy transitions?
Energy sector reform is often impeded by fragmented institutions, political economy dynamics, and weak regulatory capacity. Understanding these barriers is essential for designing effective policy interventions. Core dimensions include:
- How do fiscal and tariff structures balance affordability with financial sustainability.
- Coordination across national, regional, and local energy authorities.
- Transparency, accountability, and incentive mechanisms for utilities and regulators.
- Political economy considerations shaping policy adoption and enforcement.
c) How can climate and energy policies be designed to maximize development impact?
Climate and energy policies are most effective when aligned with broader development priorities, including industrialization, job creation, and social inclusion.
Evidence is needed to identify policies that simultaneously:
- Reduce emissions and environmental risk.
- Increase energy reliability and affordability.
- Stimulate private sector investment and innovation in energy technologies.
- Build resilience to climate shocks in urban and rural systems.
CEPDIME bridges the gap between research and policy by generating high-quality, actionable evidence on energy access, climate mitigation, and adaptation strategies. By embedding research in policymaking processes, the program supports governments in designing policies that accelerate sustainable growth, decarbonize economies, and enhance climate resilience while promoting inclusive development.