The Aller Stove

Improved Cookstove Technology

A new generation of improved cookstoves is emerging that promises to deliver not only better performance, but also health, environmental, and economic benefits. These cookstoves incorporate improved combustion technologies that result in more complete burning of fuel, thus reducing harmful emissions. In addition, many of these stoves are designed to be more efficient, meaning they use less fuel to achieve the same cooking results.

The benefits of improved cookstove technology are already being seen in countries around the world. In India, for example, the government’s National Biomass Cookstove Initiative is working to promote the use of improved cookstoves in households. The initiative is estimated to have the potential to save nearly 2 million tonnes of fuelwood per year, while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5 million tonnes.

In addition to the environmental benefits, improved cookstoves can also have a positive impact on health. Studies have shown that exposure to smoke from traditional cookstoves is a major health hazard, particularly for women and children who spend the most time near the stove. The use of improved cookstoves can help to reduce this exposure and the associated health risks.

Finally, improved cookstoves can also help to save money. In many cases, the use of improved cookstoves can result in significant fuel savings, which can free up resources for other needs.

The benefits of improved cookstove technology are clear. With the potential to improve health, the environment, and the economy, there is a strong case for promoting the use of these stoves in households around the world.

Fuel harvesting and use represent a significant time burden for women and girls, who may spend up to six hours per day on cooking-related tasks. A substantial share of cooking wood fuel is harvested unsustainably, and residential cooking contributes significantly to global black carbon emissions (Bailis et al. 2017; Batchelor et al. 2019).

Transitioning this population to Improved Cookstove Technology—part of UN Sustainable Development Goal 7(SDG 7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030—would thus have important development benefits, particularly for public health, climate/environment, and gender equality (United Nations General Assembly 2015). What Drives the Transition to Modern Energy Cooking Services? A Systematic Review of the Evidence. Technical Report 015/21. Washington, DC: World Bank. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO