More than 60 countries, foundations and development companies pledged on Tuesday 14 May a total of $2.2 billion to fund access to clean cooking solutions in Africa and reduce the collateral health and environmental risks associated with harmful cooking methods.
The International Energy Agency convened world leaders for the Clean Cooking Summit in Paris to make 2024 a turning point for progress.
Today, 2.3 billion people All over the world they still cook their meals on open or basic stoves, breathing in the noxious smoke released by burning solid fuels such as coal, charcoal, firewood and agricultural waste.
Tobacco contributes to 3.7 million premature deaths annually, with women and children most at risk, given that in most cultures, women fulfill the duty of providing meals for the entire household.
“To solve this problem, you don’t need to invent new technology,” said Dr Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA. “You need financial resources and the right policies to implement,” he added during his speech.
The number of people without access to clean cooking in Asia and Latin America has been falling in recent years thanks to support programs that provide clean cooking stoves and fuel, but in sub-Saharan Africa, the number continues to rise, hence the intention to mobilize the international engagement and action.
The $2.2 billion fund will be used to support the use of clean stoves and cooking equipment, as well as electricity and gas infrastructure.
“Many years from now (…) we will see that 14 May 2024 will be seen or remembered as the turning point in addressing this issue,” said Dr Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA.
The African Development Bank (ADB) will commit $2 billion to clean cooking over the next 10 years, ADB President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina.
Summit co-chair Norway pledged about $50 million, continuing “to be a reliable partner for our friends in Africa,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said.
European Commission Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič said that $431 million for clean cooking activities. “Team Europe will also soon launch a regional clean cooking action for West Africa, an initiative that supports policy-making, private sector development and creating the environment for cleaner cooking solutions,” he said.
The co-chair of the Summit, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said the government will continue to promote policy making to ensure that 80% of Tanzanians use clean cooking methods by 2030.
For Suluhu Hassan, adopting clean cooking will enhance gender equality on the continent and reduce harmful emissions as well as deforestation.
Countries like Uganda, Mozambique have started to implement the use of electric cooking appliances and other African countries are setting them as examples to follow.
According to the IEA’s analysis, the increased demand for modern cooking fuels can be met directly by the current energy system, but will require some additional energy infrastructure, especially in Africa.
The IEA estimates that capital investment of $4 billion per year is needed to achieve access to clean cooking technologies by 2030.