Attendees at a worldwide conference focused on minimizing global energy consumption are advocating for widespread availability of clean cooking, urging governments to provide incentives and subsidies to encourage greater private sector investment.
The 9th annual conference on energy efficiency, hosted by the Paris-based International Energy Agency, convenes ministers, CEOs, and influential figures from across the globe to explore methods for accelerating advancements in energy efficiency—a crucial step in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, according to experts.
Central to the discussions is the issue of ensuring affordable access to clean cooking alternatives, such as electricity, solar power, and other environmentally friendly solutions, in lieu of more polluting fuels like charcoal, wood, and kerosene.
Brian Motherway, head of the International Energy Agency’s office of energy efficiency and inclusive transitions, highlighted, “There are numerous practical hurdles to achieving energy efficiency, not least the initial investment requirement. The pivotal factor in unlocking efficiency lies with governments – robust, coordinated governmental policies will facilitate financial support, empowering businesses and consumers to undertake measures necessary for reducing their energy bills.”
This year’s conference, currently taking place in Nairobi, is dedicated to expediting progress towards doubling energy efficiency advancements by 2030, a commitment made by governments at COP28.
During a panel discussion on Tuesday, Rashid Abdallah, executive director of the Africa Energy Commission, emphasized that “clean cooking should be integrated into any energy policy or socio-economic development plan.”
Globally, approximately 2.3 billion individuals rely on solid biomass fuels like wood, charcoal, and kerosene for cooking. In Asia, 1.2 billion people lack access to clean cooking facilities, while in Africa, over 900 million people primarily utilize biomass as their energy source, resulting in the release of harmful toxins and smoke that contribute to illnesses, fatalities, and climate change.
According to Matt Shupler, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, there is compelling evidence that household air pollution resulting from the use of unclean fuels for cooking can lead to health issues such as diabetes and adverse pregnancy outcomes like stillbirth and low birth weight. “There are numerous documented health implications,” he stated.
Cleaner alternatives, such as electric and ethanol cookers, emit fewer pollutants.
Although the affordability of clean and environmentally friendly cooking options remains a significant barrier, there are encouraging developments in the sector. Investment in clean cooking enterprises reached a record high of $215 million in 2022, with the number of enterprises generating revenue exceeding $1 million growing to 11 in the same year, as reported by the Clean Cooking Alliance.
However, despite these advancements, a substantial funding gap persists in achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030. The International Energy Agency estimates that $8 billion in annual investment is required for clean cooking stoves, equipment, and infrastructure to reach this target.
Indonesia stands out as one of the nations that has notably expanded access to affordable, high-quality clean cooking solutions. In 2007, the government initiated a program aimed at transitioning the primary cooking fuel from kerosene to LPG.
The percentage of the population enjoying access to clean cooking doubled from 40% in 2010 to 80% in 2018. According to Dadan Kusdiana, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, effective regulation and incentives have been pivotal to the program’s success. “Our approach is to ensure energy affordability,” he remarked during a panel discussion on Tuesday. “People require this form of energy, but they are unable to afford it at market prices.”