Profile and Determinants of the Middle Classes in Ghana: Energy Use and Sustainable Consumption

Abstract

High and sustained economic growth rates of the Ghanaian economy in the past two to three decades have been accompanied by a growing urban middle class. With a rapidly growing middle class, overall consumption is not only increasing but changing too. This paper analyses the asset ownership patterns among the Ghanaian middle class, and examines the effect of household wealth, environmental concern and environmental knowledge on carbon dioxide emissions emanating from energy use and transport based on urban household survey data collected in Accra, the capital city, in 2018. We find that middle class households consume a variety of energy intensive consumer goods, and the intensity of consumption increases with household wealth. Regression results reveal statistically significant relationship between household wealth and carbon emissions from energy and transport use. We also find that environmental knowledge has a statistically negative effect on carbon emissions from transport. The policy implications are discussed.

Characterisation of urban environment and activity across space and time using street images and deep learning in Accra

“…It also shows their potential impact on population exposure to air and noise pollution, because they tend to be older diesel vehicles, often imported into the country after they were used in wealthier countries 32 , 33 , 55 , 61 , a situation exacerbated by limited enforcement of local emission standards. Similarly, the widespread presence of private cars, whose numbers have increased over time as a growing middle-class has purchased more cars 62 , worsens air and noise pollution and traffic congestion, and may make transportation less equitable among socioeconomic groups 55 , 63 .…”

“…Vol www.nature.com/scientificreports/ purchased more cars 62 , worsens air and noise pollution and traffic congestion, and may make transportation less www.nature.com/scientificreports/ equitable among socioeconomic groups 55,63 .…”