Paper short abstract:

The Energy Justice approach, advocating for access to basic energy services as a fundamental requirement for advancing human well-being, is a critical perspective that resonates in the global discourse on sustainable development. This session delves into the intricacies of policy coherence.

Paper long abstract:

The Energy Justice approach, advocating for access to basic energy services as a fundamental requirement for advancing human well-being, is a critical perspective that resonates in the global discourse on sustainable development. This session delves into the intricacies of policy coherence, shedding-light on the challenges arising from the disjointed implementation of two distinct yet interconnected policies in India–universal electrification (SDG7) and the eradication of malnutrition (SDG2).

At the heart of the matter lies the absence of clear federal policy guidelines governing the provision of electricity services for childcare centers. This void in policy articulation is identified as a stumbling-block that hinders the effective implementation of government measures aimed at tackling malnutrition among children in India. The central argument posits that without a strategic focus on providing electricity services to government-owned childcare centers, the broader governmental initiatives to combat child malnutrition are significantly impeded.

The session will outline the case of Bihar, India, illustrating the severity of the issue, particularly given that malnutrition and electricity access indicators in this region rank among the worst in the country. The empirical evidence presented highlights a glaring policy gap that compromises the potential success of programs aimed at both universal electrification and the improvement of child nutrition.

One of the key findings of the study is the prevailing incoherence in policymaking, with the government predominantly measuring the success of programs through resource-based indicators rather than metrics centered on services, access, or capabilities. This discrepancy raises questions about the effectiveness of such policy evaluation frameworks, especially in the context of programs that inherently require a focus on service delivery and accessibility, such as childcare-centers.

The research contends that adopting a policy formulation approach rooted in the capability approach can serve as a transformative solution. By shifting the paradigm towards assessing policies based on their impact on individuals' capabilities, the research argues for a more holistic and integrated approach to governance. This approach emphasizes the intrinsic value of providing electricity services in government-owned childcare centers, positing it as a linchpin for enhancing the overall capabilities of children and, consequently, fostering their flourishing. Furthermore, the call for convergence between the two seemingly disparate programs – malnutrition eradication and universal electrification – gains prominence in the proposed policy framework. Convergence is portrayed as an essential catalyst for a more effective and synergistic response to the intertwined challenges of malnutrition and the need for widespread electrification of public infrastructure.