Clean Cooking Research Articles

Beyond air pollution: a national assessment of cooking-related burns in Ghana

IntroductionHousehold energy transitions have the potential to reduce the burden of several health outcomes but have narrowly focused on those mediated by reduced exposure to air pollution, despite concerns about...

Understanding the socioeconomic determinants of cooking fuel expenditure in Uttar Pradesh, India

Poor people in a developing country like India face energy poverty and are deprived of clean cooking fuel. Clean cooking fuels are costlier and require more willingness to pay (WTP) from the consumer. Therefore, this is a descriptive study aims to analyze factors associated with differences in cooking fuel expenses at the household level in Uttar Pradesh, India. For this purpose, panel data from the Consumer Pyramids Household Survey of CMIE from 2014 to 2019 has been considered. The study uses fixed-effect panel data model to control individual-specific effects. Cooking fuel expenses show positive elasticity concerning per capita income. However, this elasticity is lower for the higher-income group than the bottom-income group. Less educational attainments of households are associated with lower spending on cooking fuel. Moreover, households with better access to electricity are willing to spend more on cooking fuel expenditure. Hence, improved access to electricity nudges households towards more WTP for cooking fuel. It is further confirmed by finding a positive association between electricity-using household appliances and cooking fuel expenses. Therefore, improved access to electricity may increase the WTP for cooking fuel and adopt clean cooking fuel in different ways. This suggests positive spillover effects of modern energy services on clean cooking fuel.

Reforming Climate and Development Finance for Clean Cooking

A transition to clean fuels and technology for cooking is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of sustainable development. However, sufficient, appropriate, affordable finance to support the transition is lacking. Grounded in primary data collection via expert interviews, this study’s research objective was to critically assess development finance institutions’ (DFIs) delivery of climate and development finance to address cooking poverty. Interview findings underscore DFIs’ important role in the transition, including to create the ecosystem conditions conducive to sustained investment. However, as a group they are not demonstrating the risk appetite and financial solutions that clean cooking markets need. Nor are they operating with the agility and flexibility required for rapid scale-up. Consequently, DFIs are not optimally fulfilling their mandates to create additionality and mobilise private capital in these markets. Interviewees call for DFIs to reconsider their approach, and we rely on these findings to posit a theory of change for clean cooking finance.

Empirical analysis of solid biomass fuel and ill-health

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) seven highlights the need to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Improving access to reliable and affordable modern energy for cooking have far-reaching benefits on human health and the environment. In most developing countries, the use of solid biomass fuel (SBF) for cooking is widespread. Using a nationally representative household-level data from Ghana and the biprobit model, this paper examines the relationship between SBF and ill-health. The first stage results show that the adoption of SBF is significantly influenced by socio-economic factors, rental and dwelling status, food hardship, information about SBF, and geographical controls. The adoption of SBF for cooking increases the probability of a household reporting ill-health and frequently reporting ill-health by 25% each, respectively. The differential analysis indicates that charcoal has a moderate effect on ill-health relative to using wood as fuel for cooking. The findings of the study imply that households are more likely to improve their health with increasing affordability and use of clean cooking fuels. Government programs on the promotion of clean energy fuels must be intensified and make more accessible and affordable to households.

Examining the Effects of Wealth, Education, and Household Location on Clean Cooking Energy Poverty Among Rural Households in Rwanda

ABSTRACT This study investigates the determinants of cooking energy poverty in rural Rwanda through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Data from the Rwanda Institute of Statistics (2018) is employed to examine the interplay of wealth, education, and location on energy poverty. The results reveal wealth, education, and urban residence negatively impact poverty likelihood. Additionally, factors like literacy and land ownership demonstrate positive indirect effects mediated by wealth and education. While the model fits adequately, further refinement is suggested by R2 and CFI. This research highlights the multifaceted nature of cooking energy poverty, emphasizing the importance of socio-economic factors for intervention design.

Toward sustainable energy transition: Unveiling the synergies of democracy, energy justice, and structural adjustment on emissions in West Africa

AbstractThe transition to sustainable energy is crucial for climate change mitigation, yet achieving net‐zero emissions remains challenging. While structural adjustments away from carbon‐intensive industries can reduce emissions, such transformations must be underpinned by democratic governance and equitable clean energy access (energy justice). Disappointedly, the interplay among structural change, democracy, and energy justice in mitigating emissions has received insufficient attention. This study examines this nexus among 15 West African countries using the Driscoll–Kraay standard estimator. Our findings indicate that democracy, structural adjustment, and energy justice significantly reduce carbon emissions, while globalization, urbanization, and international trade increase it. We recommend that governments in these nations should promote economic diversification into low‐carbon industries, ensure energy justice through electrification and clean cooking initiatives, enhance transparency and public participation in environmental decision‐making, and facilitate multi‐stakeholder dialogs on sustainable practices.

UJJWALA YOJANA'S ROLE IN TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF SCHEDULE CASTE WOMEN IN GUJARAT

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India in May 2016, aimed at providing clean cooking fuel to economically disadvantaged households. The primary objective of the scheme is to reduce the health hazards associated with the use of traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, coal, and cow dung, which produce harmful smoke and pollutants. By promoting the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Ujjwala Yojana seeks to improve indoor air quality and reduce respiratory and other health issues, particularly among women and children. This study examines the transformative role of the Ujjwala Yojana in improving the lives of Scheduled Caste (SC) women in Gujarat. By targeting 200 SC women, the research aims to analyze their perceptions of the scheme and investigate the relationship between their demographic profiles and their views on Ujjwala Yojana. Findings indicate that the majority of SC women believe the scheme has significantly enhanced their overall quality of life, improved family health, and saved considerable time previously spent on traditional fuel collection. Additionally, the study identifies a significant association between demographic factors such as age, monthly income, and family size, and the perceived benefits of the Ujjwala Yojana. These insights underscore the importance of considering demographic variables to maximize the scheme's impact and highlight the need for continued support and expansion of such initiatives to promote health, empowerment, and socio-economic development among marginalized communities.

Association between exposure to smoke from cooking fuels and anaemia among women of reproductive age in Ghana

In low- and middle-income countries, indoor air pollution (IAP) is a serious public health concern, especially for women and children who cook with solid fuels. IAP exposure has been linked to a number of medical conditions, including pneumonia, ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and anaemia. Around 500 million women of reproductive age (WRA) suffer from anaemia globally, with an estimated 190 million cases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study, which is based on prior research, investigates the relationship between IAP exposure and anaemia among WRA in Ghana. A diverse sample of 2,406 WRA living in Ghana were interviewed, of which 58.06% were anaemic and used high-pollutant fuels for cooking. Age, place of residence, region, education level, religion, ethnicity, wealth index, type of drinking water, type of toilet facility, and type of cooking fuels were all found to be significantly linked with anaemic state by bivariate analysis. Type of cooking fuels utilized, age, region of residence, and the type of residence were shown to be significant predictors of anaemia status using sequential binary logit regression models. The results emphasise the critical need for efforts to promote the usage of clean cooking fuel in an attempt to lower anaemia prevalence in Ghana. To reduce dependency on solid fuels for cooking, initiatives should promote the use of cleaner cooking fuels and enhance the socioeconomic status of households. These interventions could have significant public health effects by reducing the burden of anaemia and improving maternal and child health outcomes due to the prevalence of anaemia among WRA. Overall, this study sheds light on the relationship between IAP exposure and anaemia in Ghana and highlights the demand for focused public health initiatives to address this serious health problem.

Energy-Efficient Electric Cooking and Sustainable Energy Transitions

Transitioning to clean cooking fuels is not only part of achieving SDG7 but also makes a significant contribution to mitigating climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Research projects and pilots across a number of countries in Africa and South Asia have been exploring the suitability and energy performance of different cooking appliances and fuels. The paper presents the first statistical analysis across these multiple datasets to determine the range of energy required to cook dishes using different technologies and fuels. The paper draws out distinctions between African and Asian dishes, notably the impact of energy-intensive dishes prepared mostly in Africa. The paper demonstrates that the standard efficiency-based approaches to comparing the performance of stoves are not appropriate to modern electric cooking devices, so a novel alternative approach based on specific energy consumption and termed energy ratios is developed. Charcoal stoves are shown to use 15 times as much energy as electric pressure cookers (EPCs) to cook African dishes, and a detailed review of how the EPC works explains why this should be. Energy ratios provide a basis for estimating carbon emission reductions associated with transitioning to modern cooking fuels and also for estimating household cooking costs. Fuel and electricity prices from studies show that the cost of cooking with an EPC can be only 20% of the cost of cooking with charcoal, which highlights the potential for modern, energy-efficient electric cooking devices to defy the conventional wisdom of the energy ladder.

Assessing the drivers of energy supply and demand in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ensuring reliable and sustainable energy access in sub-Saharan Africa requires exploring alternatives to traditional biomass and fossil fuels, crucial for overcoming challenges related to limited electricity and clean cooking energy access. Within this background and to assess the factors affecting energy supply and energy consumption, the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) was applied across 48 sub-Saharan countries and adapted to the regional context considering energy access indicators.Key results showed that economic activity significantly influences both supply and demand growth. However, this growth is restricted by outdated infrastructure, resulting in inefficiencies and increased conversion losses. Policymakers thus face a dual challenge of promoting economic growth while modernizing energy infrastructure to sustain development.Moreover, targeted policies are essential, particularly in energy-intensive in energy-intensive sectors like wholesale and retail, while advocating for a comprehensive approach in the residential sector. This approach involves socioeconomic considerations, energy access enhancement, and the promotion of energy-efficient and renewable technologies to meet rising demand amid population growth and evolving consumption patterns.Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of enhancing both energy access levels and energy efficiency in the residential sector. Unlike the industrial sector, energy intensity is crucial for improving efficiency without compromising the level of access. Enhancing energy efficiency can significantly reduce energy consumption in households, which is important given the high reliance on energy-intensive practices such as cooking with traditional biomass.

Assessment of Energy Poverty and Alleviation Strategies in the Global South

The incidence of energy poverty in the Global South is identified by the lack of basic access to modern fuels and energy carriers. Impoverished people have traditional biomass and human power as their only sources of energy. This situation of deprivation of basic resources, in which (according to estimates of international agencies) almost one third of the world’s population lives, masks other relevant characteristics of energy poverty. Current assessments of energy poverty in impoverished areas and the mitigation strategies being implemented are derived from the development agenda and, with variations in detail and scope, highlight electricity connections and access to clean cooking fuels as guarantors of progress. However, a comprehensive understanding of energy poverty requires focusing beyond basic access, building on the interactions between the supply of energy sources and carriers, the provision of energy services, and their impact on decent living conditions. To deal with the effects of these interactions on the energy poor, several studies have attempted in the last decade to construct an assessment framework centred on energy services. This work discusses the relevant dimensions in the framework (supply, services, and impact on wellbeing), reviews the multidisciplinary work available in each aspect, presents a range of proposed taxonomies, and discusses the different issues. A detailed framework is proposed for the integrated assessment of the supply of energy carriers and energy equipment, the provision of relevant energy services, and the improvements obtained in living conditions.

Long-term viability of biochar-producing gasifier stoves for energy and agricultural solutions in rural Kenya

This report examines the long-term usage and satisfaction levels of a biochar-producing gasifier stove among rural households in Kenya. The primary objective was to investigate the factors that influence stove satisfaction and dissatisfaction among participants, with the aim of assessing the gasifier stove's viability as an alternative for rural households. Data for this study was collected from representatives from 30 households through survey-based interviews covering cooking practices, fuel collection, and user experiences with the gasifier stove six years after receiving it. The findings indicate that households typically use multiple stoves. Almost all participants used the three stone stove on a daily basis, while the gasifier stove had a lower use frequency. Although households acknowledged the benefits of the gasifier stove, they expressed difficulties in relying on it as their primary cooking appliance due to its lack of convenience. The main contributing factors were the additional workload required for fuel preparation and the extended cooking time. Participants prepared various dishes using the gasifier stove, and the char produced by the stove was utilized for cooking, farming, and other purposes. The differences between users and non-users in terms of perception of stove benefits were small, though users appreciated the biochar production more than non-users. The study offers insights into the long-term usage of the gasifier stove and its dual potential as a clean cooking solution, and a biochar-producing technology, for rural households across the world.

Transition of cooking fuels and obesity risk in Chinese adults

BackgroundSince 1990 s, China has witnessed a widespread transition to clean cooking fuels, presenting an opportunity to investigate whether household fuel transition could mitigate obesity risk and reconcile inconsistencies in the literature regarding the association between cooking fuels and obesity. MethodsThe China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) is a prospective cohort study covering 12 provinces of China (1989–2015). Participants were classified into persistent cleaner fuel users, fuel transitioners, and persistent polluting fuel users according to self-reported primary cooking fuels. Obesity and central obesity were defined as BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m2 and waist circumference ≥ 90 cm in men and ≥ 85 cm in women according to Chinese criteria. FindingsAmong 13,032 participants, 3657 (28.06 %) were persistent cleaner fuel users; 5264 (40.39 %) transitioned from using polluting fuels to cleaner fuels after the baseline survey; and 4111 (31.55 %) were persistent polluting fuel users. During the period of follow-up of 9.0 ± 6.8 years, 1248 (9.58 %) participants were classified into the obesity category, and 4703 (36.09 %) into the central obesity category. Persistent polluting fuel users had a significantly higher risk of developing obesity (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.45, 95 %CI: 1.22–1.72) and central obesity (HR: 1.32, 95 %CI: 1.21–1.44), compared to persistent cleaner fuel users. Persistent polluting fuel use was positively associated with developing obesity in women (HR: 1.64, 95 %CI: 1.30–2.06), but not in men. Subgroup analyses showed higher HR of persistent polluting fuel use among individuals aged 18–44 years (HR: 2.04, 95 %CI: 1.62–2.56). In contrast, the transitioners did not exhibit a significantly different risk of developing obesity (HR: 0.94, 95 %CI: 0.80–1.10) compared to persistent cleaner fuel users, which was consistent across different sex, age and urbanicity. Similar trends were observed for developing central obesity. InterpretationPersistent polluting fuel use increased obesity risk while the obesity risk of the transition to cleaner fuels was similar to persistent use of cleaner fuels. The finding underscores the significance of advocating for the adoption of cleaner fuels as a strategy to mitigate the disease burden associated with obesity.

Spatial evolution of global household clean cooking energy transition: Convergent clubs and drivers

An understanding of the spatial evolution of global household energy and its determinants is needed to achieve global access to clean cooking energy before 2030. Based on a novel global household energy database, we adopt the log t regression test to identify the global trend and find the potential convergent clubs. Besides, we utilize Random Forest method and Ordered Probit model to investigate the drivers affecting the club convergence. As a result: (1) The global sample exhibits divergence from 2000 to 2020; (2) The 191 countries and regions can be classified into 3 convergent clubs, characterized by significant disparities in both the mean and growth rate of their access to clean energy; (3) Per capita GDP, urbanization level, infrastructure development, and educational attainment are identified as the most important factors influencing the club convergence; (4) Countries with a higher level of socio-economic development generally have a higher proportion of residents using clean fuels, with gas energy playing a pivotal role in driving this transformation. This paper adds more evidence to understand the disparity of global household cooking energy use, we propose that economic and infrastructure development, education attainment, and international cooperation are favorable.

Decarbonization of Africa: Metamorphosing the Continent for Sustainable Trajectories

Africa has witnessed significant economic growth and development in recent years, driven by digitalization, industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancements. Despite contributing only a small fraction of global carbon dioxide emissions, Africa is facing the adverse impacts of climate change at an accelerated rate, with warming occurring faster than the global average. The urgent need to identify sustainable approaches for decarbonizing Africa has become paramount. This article highlights the challenges and pragmatic approaches to achieving decarbonization in Africa. The challenges encompass economic, social, and technological aspects, including difficulties in incorporating highly renewable energy and the lack of consideration given to system integration and non-financial aspects. Insufficient investments in low-carbon technologies, the absence of national-level commitments, and limited policies and financing options hinder progress toward decarbonization. Various pragmatic approaches are proposed to address these challenges. Expanding renewable energy sources through financial incentives and partnerships is crucial. Enhancing energy efficiency across sectors, promoting sustainable transportation, and adopting green building practices can significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Emphasizing sustainable agriculture, forest conservation, and improving access to clean cooking services are vital for mitigating climate change and enhancing public health. Furthermore, international cooperation and financing are crucial in mobilizing resources for clean energy projects and decarbonization initiatives. Strengthening partnerships and creating supportive regulatory frameworks can attract private sector investment and promote a sustainable, low-carbon future for Africa.

Harnessing Biogas Resources for Production of Methane Gas

Nigeria faces a significant challenge in providing reliable and affordable cooking fuel, particularly in rural areas and educational institutions. Reliance on traditional biomass fuels like firewood and charcoal contributes to deforestation, environmental degradation, and respiratory health problems. Additionally, access to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) can be limited and expensive. This project presents the design and construction of a 100-liter fixed-dome biogas plant for cooking applications. The plant was constructed using readily available materials, focusing on affordability and ease of assembly. The project aimed to harness organic waste and convert it into a sustainable and renewable fuel source. Following construction, the plant underwent a testing phase, successfully generating 5kg of biogas within 10 days. This highlights the plant’s potential for providing clean and sustainable cooking fuel in resource-constrained settings. This research contributes to ongoing efforts to address Nigeria’s fuel challenges by offering a localized, sustainable, and potentially cost-effective solution.

Sustaining clean cooking: A system dynamics study of Ghana's rural LPG promotion program

Household air pollution is a pervasive environmental health problem wherever access to cleaner fuels is poor. Despite numerous attempts to transition households away from polluting fuels, interventions are rarely sustainable. This intractability indicates that structural (i.e., systemic) dynamics act to maintain the status quo. In this case study of Ghana's Rural Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Promotion Program, our objectives were to 1) identify system structures affecting sustained fuel use, and 2) test strategies for improving intervention outcomes. To address these objectives, we applied a system dynamics approach, informed by a systematic literature review. A virtual simulation model was constructed to represent the implementation of the Rural LPG Program and its outcomes. By analyzing the model's structure and behavior, we proposed strategies that would improve the intervention's outcomes and tested the effectiveness of the strategies within the simulation model. Our results show that distributing two LPG cylinders to households (instead of one) contributed toward primary use of the fuel, whereas free weekly delivery of LPG (for up to four years) had limited long-term benefits and diminishing returns. Furthermore, reducing the time for users to perceive the benefits of cleaner fuels enhanced willingness-to-pay, and thereby helped to sustain higher rates of LPG use. This suggests that intervention planners should identify new users' expectations of benefits and proactively design ways to realize those benefits quickly (in a few weeks or less), while policy makers should support this as a design requirement in approval processes.

Assessment of a clean cooking fuel distribution scheme in rural households of India – “Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)”

This study assessed the health benefits and change in the quality of life of beneficiaries of the flagship scheme of the government of India for clean cooking fuel, known as Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). A large-scale survey consisting of 69 questions was carried out in six states of India. Indoor PM2.5 concentrations were also monitored using low-cost sensor devices. Of 2366 surveyed households, >40 % of the LPG users have reported significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the general health of the primary cooking person. Around 55 % of the surveyed LPG users have reported fewer episodes of respiratory illnesses in themselves and their family members post-LPG (PMUY) connections. The respondents from Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh show a strong signal for improvement in their overall health using LPG. The study also quantified the challenges encountered in continuing LPG refilling. Over 38 % of the LPG users had refilled their cylinders only 0–2 times in the preceding six months. Around 47 % of LPG users have reported refilling cost as a limiting factor for cylinder refilling. The high PMUY connection villages' indoor environments have 10 to 20 % less average concentration of PM2.5 than the low connection villages. The study findings will help the government better implement and assess the expected PMUY paybacks regarding beneficiaries' health and quality of life.

The impact on climate and emissions of clean household cooking energy policies in Tanzania

The transition to cleaner cooking fuels currently ongoing in many low- and middle-income countries may have benefits for health, but also climate. We have studied the climate implications of the SE4ALL policy goal in Tanzania of “75 percent access to modern cooking solutions by 2030” in which mainly firewood and charcoal are replaced by LPG and electricity. To see the long-term climate benefit, we have estimated the reduction in CO2-equivalent emissions (GWP100) and effect on global temperature until 2100 relative to the baseline for three explorative scenarios with different levels of ambition: baseline growth to nearly complete transition to modern cooking. Due to population growth the energy demand and CO2-eq. emissions increase even in the most ambitious energy transition scenario. We model reduction in global temperature in 2100 relative to the baseline to be between −0.63 and −2.9 milli °C. While we confirm the climate benefit of a transition to cleaner cooking fuels in households, the benefit is smaller than previously thought. This is mainly due to a much weaker radiative forcing of black carbon and somewhat stronger radiative forcing for organic carbon, in the climate parameters from IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.

Energy poverty in light of the climate emergency in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Impact and transmission channels

AbstractThis study analyzes the effect of energy poverty on environmental quality for a sample of 43 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa. We specify and estimate a linear panel data model for the period 2000–2021, using fixed effects and the Driscoll‐Kraay method. The results show that access to electricity and clean energy for cooking have a positive and significant effect on deforestation and carbon emissions. Taking into account non‐linear analysis, we find that there is an inverted U‐relationship between energy indicators and environmental quality, thus, verifying the hypothesis of the Kuznet environmental curve. Thus, access to electricity and access to clean cooking energy improve environmental quality from a threshold. For the resolution of endogeneity, Lewbel 2SLS, the Kiviet method and S‐GMM were used. In addition, analysis of the sample data using a structural equation model (PLS‐SEM) shows that energy indicators pass through various channels to affect environmental quality. Therefore, based on these results, we recommend increasing investments in electricity infrastructure, especially in clean decentralized energy, in order to reduce deforestation and, therefore, CO2 emissions.