RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Does Providing Improved Biomass Cooking Stoves Free-of-Charge Reduce Regular Usage? Do Use Incentives Promote Habits?
JF Land Economics
JO Land Econ
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 180
OP 195
DO 10.3368/le.97.1.060818-0077R1
VO 97
IS 1
A1 Bluffstone, Randall A.
A1 Beyene, Abebe D.
A1 Gebreegziabher, Zenebe
A1 Martinsson, Peter
A1 Mekonnen, Alemu
A1 Vieider, Ferdinand
YR 2021
UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/97/1/180.abstract
AB This article uses a field experiment to evaluate effects of monetary treatments on usage intensity of an important improved biomass-burning cookstove promoted in Ethiopia. Understanding whether, how much and why improved stoves are used are important, because use frequency critically determines fuelwood savings and related benefits. We find that distributing stoves free-of-charge is at least as effective for promoting short-run adoption as requiring payments or offering usage incentives. Free distribution is most effective at promoting both high and increasing levels of longer-run regular use. First period incentives do not better promote usage habits compared with the other two treatments.