Explaining the non-implementation of health-improving policies related to solid fuels use in South Africa

• Published in: Energy policy 2014-05, Vol.68, p.53-59
• Main Authors: Matinga, Margaret Njirambo, Clancy, Joy S., Annegarn, Harold J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Africa; Analytical biochemistry: general aspects, technics, instrumentation; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Economic data; Electric energy; Electricity generation; Energy; Energy economics; Energy industry; Energy policy; Energy sector; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel; Fuels; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General, economic and professional studies; Health care policy; Household solid fuels; Households; Inheritance; Natural energy; Policy implementation; Political behavior; Social policy; South Africa; Studies
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.10.040

In 1998, the South African government developed an energy policy that focused on a pro-poor agenda. Its objectives included addressing the health impacts of solid fuel use in households. Fourteen years later, and with household electrification at over 80%, millions still use solid fuels and yet ambitious policy objectives to address this situation are not being met. Using three theoretical frameworks; institutional capacity, policy inheritance and the symbolic use of policy, this paper analyses the reasons why household energy policy objectives related to solid fuels and health, as stated in the 1998 South African energy policy, have not been implemented. The results of the analysis show that the symbolic use of policy, including meanings of objects used for meeting policy objectives is the most critical explanation. The paper illustrates that political and historical contexts are critical to understanding policy outcomes in developing and transition countries which often experience tensions between implementing what may seem as objective policies, and that matches their political and historical experiences and aspirations. We recommend that policy analysts in the energy sector complement currently common methods to include political contexts of policy development and implementation in order to better understand why policy makers chose to implement certain policies over others. •Policy non-implementation in developing countries focuses on lack of resources.•We add policy inheritance and policy symbolism to assess non-implementation.•South Africa's racial politics affect how policies are perceived and implemented.•Politically, firewood and electricity symbolise repression and emancipation.•Electricity and firewood's symbolic meanings affect policy makers' focus on these.