Improved cookstoves in Zambia
Better for health and the environment
This climate project distributes improved cookstoves that require less firewood and emit less harmful smoke. This saves households time and money and reduces the pressure on national forests.
Wood as fuel for cooking drives deforestation and causes disease
Deforestation is a major problem in Zambia. Between 2001 and 2020, the country lost 2.2 million hectares of tree cover (Climate Risk Profile Zambia). One of the main drivers of deforestation is because large quantities of charcoal are needed for cooking, which also leads to indoor air pollution. Women and children in particular, who spend a lot of time at home exposed to smoke, develop serious illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
Improved cookstoves save time, money, and emissions while reducing air pollution
This climate project distributes around 45,000 improved cookstoves annually to Zambian households. These cookstoves burn biomass fuels more efficiently, reducing greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions. Compared to traditional cooking methods, improved cookstoves reduce fuel consumption by around 70% and indoor air pollution by around 80%.
Lower firewood consumption reduces the pressure on national forests and saves households money and time in buying and collecting wood. The distributed cookstoves avoid around 429,490 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, and, in addition, the project creates jobs and supports the local economy.
Estimated annual emission reductions
429,495 t CO2
Impact
45,000 households receive an improved cookstove each year
Project location
Countrywide, Zambia
Standard
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The project's impact
Maureen Mweleka, project participant, Zambia
“The new stove has improved my life. It saves me time to do other activities due to its fast cooking, and it has lessened my burden of walking long distances to cut down trees for cooking, as I now collect small pieces of wood in my yard.”
Catherine, project participant, Zambia
“The advantages of using the stove are that cooking is clean, it is fast to cook which saves my time to do other activities, and it does not produce smoke.”
The project contributes to the following United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
No poverty
Households will have access to improved technology that saves them money.
Good health and well-being
Households suffer from fewer health hazards due to lower smoke emissions.
Gender equality
The everyday life for women is improved as time is saved on cooking and collecting firewood.
Affordable and clean energy
The project distributes efficient, modern cooking technology and provides access to affordable and reliable energy services.
Decent work and economic growth
The project creates employment in the region, supporting local economic growth.
Responsible consumption and production
The improved cookstoves save firewood and thus help to protect the local forests.
Climate action
In total, the project avoids approximately 429,490 tonnes of CO2 annually, according to the validated project design.
Are you interested in financing this project? We are looking forward to your request!
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