Clean cooking refers to using modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly cookstoves and fuels that minimize health and environmental risks associated with traditional cooking methods. It involves technologies and practices that reduce indoor air pollution, minimize fuel consumption, and improve household safety. In contrast, conventional biomass fuels like wood, charcoal, and dung are commonly used for cooking.
Clean cooking solutions include improved cookstoves, designed to burn fuel more efficiently and reduce smoke emissions, and cleaner fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biogas, and electricity. These technologies provide multiple benefits, including reducing household air pollution, improving respiratory health, reducing deforestation and carbon emissions, saving time and money for households, and empowering women and girls who are often responsible for cooking.
The transition to clean cooking is a global priority due to the significant health and environmental impacts of traditional cooking methods. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to household air pollution from traditional cooking practices is a leading cause of respiratory diseases. It contributes to an estimated four million premature deaths annually.
To promote clean cooking, governments, international organizations, and non-profit entities are working together to raise awareness, provide access to clean cooking technologies, and support the adoption of clean fuels. This involves subsidy programs, financial incentives, capacity building, and partnerships with private sector stakeholders.
Overall, clean cooking plays a crucial role in improving the well-being of individuals and communities by reducing pollution, improving health outcomes, conserving natural resources, and contributing to sustainable development.