Tourism as a pathway for nudging clean cooking energy adoption in Ghana

This study explored whether perceptions of the cost–benefit of ecotourism can encourage households in forest-fringed communities to adopt clean cooking energy. It draws on social exchange theory, value-based theory, and the technology acceptance model to develop and test a unified theory of change using survey data collected from 582 households surrounding two major national parks in Ghana. By segmenting adopters of the proposed clean cooking energy solutions based on cost–benefit perceptions of tourism, environmental values, perceived usefulness and ease of use of the energy solutions, the study reveals that the benefits of ecotourism could be a catalyst for clean cooking energy adoption but may not, on their own, be sufficient. Based on the findings, we recommend that promoters of clean fuels for forest-fringed communities combine tourism-based incentives with clear communication about the benefits and ease of use of clean energy technologies.