Barriers to the Adoption of Improved Cooking Stoves for Rural Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Kenya

Daniel M Nzengya,Paul Maina Mwari,Chrocosiscus Njeru

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-45106-6_133

Abstract

AbstractMajority of Kenya’s citizens reside in the rural areas where wood fuel is still the primary source of energy for cooking. Continuing reliance on wood fuel against the backdrop of burgeoning population poses huge threats to the country’s forest cover, undermining capacity for climate change mitigation and adaptation. This study conducted in Machakos and Laikipia counties explored; (i) women’s perceptions of the health risks associated with dependence of firewood for cooking, (ii) women’s attitudes and perceptions towards improved cooking charcoal stoves (ICS) as cleaner alternatives to traditional firewood stoves for cooking, and (iii) women’s perceptions of barriers to adoption of improved cooking stoves. Study findings revealed that women were aware of the health risks associated with the use of firewood for cooking. However, despite these perceptions, upward trends in demands for firewood as a source of energy for cooking in the rural areas may persist in the next coming decades. Barriers to adoption of improved cooking stoves vary by sociocultural contexts. The study concludes that innovations that involve stakeholders especially participatory designs, monitoring, and evaluation of ICS might improve adoption levels. Moreover, innovations to increase adoption need to leverage on the opportunities provided by Sustainable development goal number 7 to accelerate adoption of ICS among other forms of cleaner, affordable, and sustainable sources of energy for cooking.

Highlights

Introduction and BackgroundSustainable development goal number seven, target 7.1 challenges the international development community and various governments to work towards achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030
It is estimated that about three billion people globally rely on biomass and coal burning for domestic use (WHO 2016)
Women from rural areas and children below 5 years suffer most from health risks posed by biomass burning during long hours of cooking

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and BackgroundSustainable development goal number seven, target 7.1 challenges the international development community and various governments to work towards achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030. It is estimated that about three billion people globally rely on biomass and coal burning for domestic use (WHO 2016). Majority of these population resides in developing nations (Clark et al 2009). Ndegwa and others (2011) posit that 94% of the African rural population and 73% of urban population relay heavily on biomass energy especially for cooking and heating. They further state that wood fuel energy used as household energy and used in schools, hospitals, colleges, small industries, and hotels. The identified drivers of rising demands for wood fuel for cooking include, rapid population growth, inaccessibility to cheaper and affordable alternative energy substitutes, and the rising pervasive poverty and inequality

Methods

Results

Conclusion