In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, more than 950 million people use wood and charcoal for cooking, predominantly on open fires, with this number expected to jump to over 1.6 billion by 2050. Reliance on these biomass resources puts pressure on forests and contributes to the release of pollutants, in particular potent “black carbon” emissions, every day. Inhalation of smoke and indoor pollutants from open-fire cooking leads to an array of severe health issues, particularly for women and children, who typically spend more time cooking and in the household.
This project is harnessing climate finance by marketing and distributing clean and efficient cookstoves to families across Kenya. By replacing traditional cookstoves, such as three-stone-fires, with modern devices that are 25% more efficient, harmful pollutants are significantly reduced and pressure is alleviated from nearby forests and vegetation . In addition, families spend less time and money on fuel which frees up resources and significantly eases the burden on women who are primarily responsible for such household tasks.
from reduced fuel wood costs
due to minimised indoor smoke pollution
with more free time and better health
distributed to date, providing a reliable electricity source and means of cooking
in stove monitoring and maintenance
reduced to date, thanks to the project
of woody biomass saved, thanks to reduced use of fuel wood
Transitioning from traditional cooking methods to the improved cookstoves reduces pressure on local forests, and landscapes, as less biomass is needed to generate the same energy output. From a health perspective switching from open fires and traditional stoves to improved stoves reduces the amount of particulate matter, smoke, and toxins that households are exposed to - dramatically reducing the risk of users developing respiratory infections, ischemic heart disease, strokes, and cancer. One of the stove types distributed by the project is the 'the BioLite HomeStove' which is a super-efficient wood stove that generates electricity to power either a fan for clean combustion, a light or a mobile phone charger - thus having multiple benefits beyond clean cooking for the household.
