A Vision for Clean Cooking Access for All

Nearly one in three people, the vast majority of them in the poorest regions of the world, still lack access to clean cooking facilities, with major ramifications for public health, local environments and socio-economic development. Inhaling hazardous smoke from traditional stoves and open fires causes millions of premature deaths annually, disproportionately affecting women and children. The arduous task of collecting firewood also hinders educational and employment opportunities and strains natural resources – compounding costs for vulnerable populations.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the African Development Bank Group have joined forces to address this critical issue in a special report, A Vision for Clean Cooking Access for All. While covering global trends, the report pays special attention to the needs in Africa, where they are most pressing. It sheds light on the current state of clean cooking, the costs of inaction, and the benefits of boosting access in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7.

Countries like China, India and Indonesia have made commendable strides in disseminating clean cooking technologies. Yet in sub-Saharan Africa, there are a rising number of people without access to cleaner stoves and fuels, largely because population growth is outpacing gains. This could hinder broader development efforts, making it imperative to elevate clean cooking as a policy priority.

The report presents country-by-country assessments and an outlook for clean cooking under existing policies, offering a roadmap towards universal access. By identifying the required policies, technologies, investments and implementation efforts, the report seeks to galvanise international support for clean cooking initiatives, informing conversations ahead of the UN Sustainable Development Goal Summit, the African Climate Action Summit, and the COP28 Climate Change Conference taking place later in 2023.