Sustainability: Clean cooking empowers women.

Consumption of clean and dirty cooking fuels in ghanaian households: The role of financial inclusion

The use of clean cooking fuels is crucial for enhancing public health and environmental sustainability. However, in many low-income regions, including North-Western Nigeria, the reliance on unclean fuels remains high, contributing to adverse health outcomes and environmental degradation. This study assesses the utilization of clean energy and identifies household factors influencing the adoption of clean cooking fuels among households in North-Western Nigeria, while analysing disparities across states. Data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were analyzed, focusing on the household recode (HR) file, resulting in a sample of 9,509 households across Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, and Kaduna state. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were employed to assess the proportion of households using clean versus unclean cooking fuels and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with clean fuel usage. The analysis revealed that approximately 95% of households relied on unclean fuels, such as wood, kerosene, and charcoal, while only 5% used clean fuels, including electricity and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Significant variations were observed among the states, with Kano having the highest proportion of clean fuel usage at 8.87%, while Sokoto had the lowest at 0.42%. Wealth, educational attainment, and urban residence were strong predictors of clean fuel use. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to promote the adoption of clean cooking fuels in North-Western Nigeria, addressing barriers to usage and improving access to clean energy sources to enhance public health and environmental sustainability.

Transition from cooking with traditional biomass to clean cooking is a persistent challenge in Malawi. The underlying technologies in clean cooking are improved cookstove. Improved cook stoves are designed to reduce fuel consumption per meal and to curb smoke emissions experienced in traditional three-stone cookstove. However, promotion adoption and utilisation of clean cooking requires coordinated policy and regulatory framework. This study analysed the Malawi policy regulatory framework on clean cooking by benchmarking with relevant literature. The following policy gaps were identified: (i) the lack of clear cookstove rating by Malawi Bureau of Standards; (ii) uncomplimentary policies and regulations in the energy and forestry sectors on clean cooking fuels and technologies; (iii) the lack of empirical data on adoption and utilisation of clean cooking technologies and fuels in Malawi; (iv) predicaments in adopting and using international standards for testing cookstoves; and (v) the value chain of improved cookstoves and other forms of clean cooking fuels and technologies that is not adequately analysed. Coordinated development and harmonious implementation of clean cooking regulations in the key sectors of energy and forestry can promote adoption and utilisation of clean cooking methods and technologies in Malawi.

Will environmental concern contribute to the transition of household cleaner cooking?

As part of the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), SDG target 7.1 recognizes universal electrification and the provision of clean cooking fuel as two fundamental challenges for global society. Faltering progress toward SDG target 7.1 calls for innovative technologies to stimulate advancements. Hydrogen has been proposed as a versatile energy carrier to be applied in both pillars of SDG target 7.1: electrification and clean cooking. This paper conducts a semi-systematic literature review to provide the status quo of research on the application of hydrogen in the rationale of SDG 7.1, covering the technical integration pathways, as well as the key economic, environmental, and social aspects of its use. We identify decisive factors for the future development of hydrogen use in the rationale of SDG target 7.1 and, by complementing our analysis with insights from the related literature, propose future avenues of research. The literature on electrification proposes that hydrogen can serve as a backup power supply in rural off-grid communities. While common electrification efforts aim to supply appliances that use lower amounts of electricity, a hydrogen-based power supply can satisfy appliances with higher power demands including electric cook stoves, while simultaneously supporting clean cooking efforts. Alternatively, with the exclusive aim of stimulating clean cooking, hydrogen is proposed to be used as a clean cooking fuel via direct combustion in distribution and utilization infrastructures analogous to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). While expected economic and technical developments are seen as likely to render hydrogen technologies economically competitive with conventional fossil fuels in the future, the potential of renewably produced hydrogen usage to reduce climate-change impacts and point-of-use emissions is already evident today. Social benefits are likely when meeting essential safety standards, as a hydrogen-based power supply offers service on a high tier that might overachieve SDG 7.1 ambitions, while hydrogen cooking via combustion fits into the existing social habits of LPG users. However, the literature lacks clear evidence on the social impact of hydrogen usage. Impact assessments of demonstration projects are required to fill this research gap.

Biomass-fuel use by over 2 billion of the world’s population contributes to their poor respiratory health and climate change. This paper traces the history of clean cooking and explores strategies for its sustained adoption in developing countries, such as Nigeria, drawing on global lessons from past successes and failures. This study employed a rapid review methodology to synthesize evidence and inform decision-making on the adoption of clean cooking. The research was guided by a central question on how to promote long-term adoption in Nigeria and similar developing countries. Literature was retrieved from the Scopus database using multiple search strings, with “clean cook fuel*” providing the most comprehensive results; 200 articles were selected from Scopus, and 23 additional relevant articles were sourced from Google Scholar. In total, 223 publications were thematically categorized into the following areas: policy, health, gender, fuels, technology, and climate change. Deductive thematic analysis was then applied to identify key insights and structure the paper’s discussion around the historical evolution of clean cooking, adoption challenges, and policy recommendations. The historical evolution from ‘improved cookstoves’ to ‘clean cooking’ illustrates a significant shift in focus from improving the efficiency of biomass fuel use to promoting modern, cleaner energy sources, such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas and electricity. However, the transition has been hindered by persistent barriers, including the high cost of cleaner alternatives, unreliable supply chains, and a lack of social acceptance in many communities. Similarly, interventions often fall short due to inadequate planning, insufficient stakeholder engagement, and the failure to address the specific needs and preferences of local populations. To overcome the challenges of the clean cooking sector, a more nuanced approach is needed that combines market-based strategies with targeted subsidies, taking into account the socio-economic realities of the target population. Specifically, there is a need for context-specific interventions that are culturally sensitive and economically feasible, and for the ongoing adaptation (and innovation) of clean cooking solutions to the preferences of different population demographies. Achieving universal access to clean cooking requires a coordinated and sustained effort involving multiple stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, non-government organizations, and local communities.

Purpose: Access to clean and sustainable energy sources promotes long-term economic growth by improving environmental quality and human well-being. However, most homes in poor nations depend on polluting solid fuels, which has profound implications for environmental sustainability and human health. This study examines the impact of remittance inflows on household decisions related to clean cooking fuel. It evaluates the effects of remittance income on selecting clean energy for cooking in Ghana's rural and urban regions. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used probit regression and data from the seventh wave of the Ghana Living Standards Survey. Findings: The results show that while remittance inflows significantly and positively influenced clean cooking energy choices, their effects are more significant on urban families' clean energy choices than rural households. Families in rural and urban areas positively and significantly connect their clean energy usage to non-remittance income and education. In contrast, household size, rural location, age, and poverty negatively influence using clean cooking energy. Finally, deprived urban residents may choose alternative energy sources over clean cooking fuel. Research Limitation: This research focused on remittances and household clean cooking fuel in Ghana. Practical Implication: The results suggest that economic factors, demographic characteristics, and socioeconomic status influence clean energy adoption. Social Implication: The findings imply that devising the right policies to encourage remittance inflows and addressing causal poverty issues presents viable options for policymakers. Originality/Value: By examining the impact of remittances on household decisions related to clean cooking fuel in the Global South, a topic largely neglected in existing literature, the study adds to the body of knowledge on energy consumption in developing countries. The study provides significant insights for policymakers and stakeholders promoting sustainable energy transitions.

BackgroundClimate vulnerability in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, has heightened concern about household energy transitions and associated health and economic impacts. Despite clean fuel initiatives, uncertainty remains regarding household expenditure patterns, health expenditures, and socioeconomic drivers of adoption.ObjectivesTo examine (1) household cooking-energy and respiratory healthcare expenditures, (2) descriptive expenditure ratios comparing energy costs with respiratory healthcare spending including benefits of transitioning to cleaner energy solutions, and (3) the socioeconomic determinants that influence households’ willingness to transition to cleaner cooking practices.MethodsA cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Alimosho (Lagos State) and Ado-Odo Ota (Ogun State) in southwest Nigeria. Using a multistage cluster sampling approach, 292 respondents from 200 households were surveyed on cooking-energy expenditures, respiratory healthcare costs, and willingness to adopt clean fuels. Expenditure patterns were compared descriptively, and a model-based cost-utility analysis was performed to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in US dollars per disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine socioeconomic predictors of willingness to adopt clean cooking.ResultsClean-fuel (liquefied petroleum gas or electricity) households reported higher annual cooking-energy expenditures than polluting-fuel households (US25.08vsUS16.27), as well as higher respiratory healthcare expenditures (US112.50vsUS50.64). The healthcare-to-energy expenditure ratio was also higher among clean-fuel users (4.48 vs 3.11). In adjusted analyses, tertiary education was associated with higher willingness to adopt clean cooking, while larger household size and urban residence were associated with lower willingness. In the model-based economic evaluation over a 1-year horizon, clean cooking was cost-saving (dominant) across plausible DALY-averted scenarios.ConclusionsExpenditure differences by fuel type likely reflect underlying socioeconomic conditions and variations in healthcare access, rather than causal effects of fuel choice. The model-based cost-utility analysis suggests that clean cooking could be cost-saving or highly cost-effective under plausible assumptions. Policies that address affordability and supply constraints, alongside stronger longitudinal evidence, are needed to support equitable and sustained clean-cooking transitions in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa.

Towards safe drinking water and clean cooking for all

BackgroundSustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 calls for “universal access to affordable, reliable, modern energy services” for the 2.6 billion individuals lacking access to clean cooking fuels and stoves. Low- and middle-income countries are designing policies towards clean fuels, but often prioritize World Health Organization defined ‘clean’ fuels and stoves to urban areas. As clean solutions are explored, it remains unclear what rural households prefer as their clean alternative.MethodsThis study conducted household energy surveys with main cooks across four villages in Shirati, Tanzania to understand rural household preferences within the viable clean fuels. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics and a generalized linear model with the Poisson family and log link to estimate prevalence ratios, all of which were conducted in Microsoft Excel and STATA 16.1.ResultsThe results revealed that while 83% of households (n = 187) stacked a combination of firewood, charcoal, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), and/or kerosene, 82% [95% Confidence Interval: 74%, 89%] of households stated a preference to use LPG. We found that aggregate expenditure on LPG was less than daily purchases of charcoal and firewood. Our analysis found that all villages had a higher prevalence of stacking firewood, charcoal, and LPG, than areas further from the main trading center. Both areas with trading posts had a lower prevalence of using only firewood.ConclusionsHousehold preference should be systematically incorporated into clean cooking policy decisions. Our results imply that LPG should not be pursued only in urban contexts. We discuss how preference affect adoption and the need to include user preferences to meet universal clean cooking access (SDG 7).

The achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 ‘affordable and clean energy for all’ is incomplete with 1.8 billion people worldwide still dependent on biomass for cooking, with detrimental effects on health, well-being and environment. The situation is especially acute in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study explores cooking transition narratives in the Tanzanian context. The recent policy initiative towards clean cooking from the Tanzanian government provides the opportunity to investigate the main actors and perspectives that set the scene for clean cooking, and justice implications. Drawing on interviews with relevant stakeholders and analysis of key strategic documents we find that the current narratives highlight technical, financial and environmental dimensions, but has little emphasis on the end-users. This provides limited understanding of the practices that underpin cooking, and people's ability to transition to clean cooking technologies. In the future, there is a need to consult the end-users to ensure a successful, just and sustainable transition.

This study examines the linear and the non‐linear effects of international trade taxes on access to clean cooking technologies in Sub‐Saharan Africa between 2000 and 2023. The study adopts several robust estimation strategies, including the Driscoll–Kraay cross‐sectional dependence estimation, the two‐step system GMM approach, and the Dynamic Panel Thresholds strategy. The findings reveal a dual effect: while international trade taxes exert a positive linear impact at moderate levels, they produce a negative non‐linear effect once the tax rate surpasses a dynamic threshold of 5.039. The estimated dynamic threshold of 5.039% marks the turning point beyond which trade taxes negatively affect clean cooking access. The results are consistent across rural and urban populations, low and middle‐income economies, as well as between countries with low versus high energy import dependence, with the non‐linear effect most severe among high importers. Complementary factors such as internet penetration, trade openness, governance quality, and domestic credit significantly enhance access to clean cooking fuels and technologies. These results underscore the need for “smart” taxation policies that balance fiscal space generation with household affordability. Policy recommendations emphasise differentiated tariff regimes, strengthened credit markets, improved governance, and regional trade cooperation to accelerate universal clean cooking access in SSA.

Urban clean-cooking transitions are often evaluated in terms of technology uptake, affordability, or infrastructure readiness. Yet in many cities, such transitions are also political projects through which states seek to cultivate particular forms of citizenship, while citizens interpret and reshape the state through everyday encounters with governance. This article employs the concept of cooking citizenship as an analytical lens to examine the performance and contestation of state identity within cooking-energy policy and practice. Drawing on a six-month qualitative study in Kigali, Rwanda, involving fifty purposively selected households across Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge districts, the research combines in-depth interviews, cooking observations, group discussions, neighbourhood walks, and analysis of policy and market documents. The findings demonstrate that clean-cooking governance extends beyond the promotion of modern fuels. It (1) frames cleanliness, safety, and modernity as civic virtues reinforced through everyday pedagogies; (2) produces differentiated entitlements through enrolment, verification, and the moral classification of households as recognised or suspect; and (3) generates routine insecurities that households navigate through compliance, improvisation, and fuel stacking, thereby shaping state identity from below. By linking everyday fuel practices to questions of authority, belonging, and food rights, the article positions clean cooking as a site where legitimacy is continuously negotiated through interactions with meters, markets, vendors, and local officials. It concludes by proposing practice-sensitive design principles aimed at reducing temporal, financial, and dignity costs while strengthening co-produced trust in Rwanda’s energy transition.

This study aims to understand the environmental aspects of energy transitions and clean cooking in informal settlements by focusing on domestic practices, gender roles, and employment status in Mukuru, Nairobi. Adopting a mixed-method approach, household surveys and focus group discussions (FGDs), the research asks: What drives the adoption of clean cooking in informal settlements? How are economic conditions and cultural norms intertwined in women’s energy choices and use? Findings reveal a significant shift towards liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), primarily motivated by health concerns. However, while higher-income households show a clear preference for clean fuels, female-headed, single, and unemployed households remain reliant on polluting fuels, showing how social norms and employment status mediate access to clean fuels and appliance ownership. Government investment in the provision of domestic LPG could substantially improve the living conditions of vulnerable groups. Crucially, the study shows that energy transitions do not occur through economic change alone, and cultural norms must be addressed.

Many stakeholders are involved in the Kenyan clean cooking sector, often having different perspectives, interests and agendas about the adoption, impacts and scaling-up of clean cooking interventions. Understanding the perceptions of non end-user stakeholders can enrich current debates about clean cooking options that are usually informed by rigorous, yet highly compartmentalized research. Through expert interviews, we elicit the perceptions of 27 stakeholder organizations involved in the clean cooking sector in Kenya. The analysis offers unique insights about the divergences and convergences of their perceptions regarding the key drivers, barriers, and impacts of clean cookstove adoption. Furthermore, it hints how such diverse perspectives can be mobilized to inform ways forward to enhance stove uptake and sustained use, eventually increasing the sustainability in the sector.