When we think about reducing carbon emissions while improving livelihoods in rural communities, cookstove initiatives often come to mind. These seemingly simple and attractive solutions have been at the heart of development and climate action strategies worldwide, but they come with their own set of challenges and learnings. With a pocketful of insights from around the globe, it’s time we explore what’s been done, what’s worked, and what’s yet to be improved, especially in Pakistan.
The Global Need for Better Cookstoves
Around 2.6 billion people globally still rely on traditional stoves and biomass for cooking. In places like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, open fires or inefficient stoves are common, and the resulting smoke leads to severe respiratory issues, particularly affecting women and children who spend long hours near them. Beyond health, traditional stoves consume vast amounts of fuel, contributing to deforestation, carbon emissions, and wasted time in fuel collection.
There have been efforts on record that prove that introducing improved cookstoves, which use less fuel and burn cleaner, have made a positive impact here and there. For instance, projects like the Gold Standard verified “Improved Cookstoves in Kenya” have successfully distributed efficient stoves to households, generating carbon credits while significantly reducing health risks and saving families money on fuel. The positive environmental impact, lowered carbon dioxide emissions and easing pressure on dwindling forests have been a cherry on top. Yet, as pointed out in an in-depth report by the Washington Post on cookstove carbon credit projects in Africa, the road to success is riddled with complications, that are often brushed under the rug, while the project’s pristine image remains on paper. Often, the challenge lies in maintaining stove use long after the initial rollout and ensuring these projects aren’t just short-term fixes for long-term problems.
Learning from Past Initiatives
If you’ve been following the cookstove landscape within the carbon market, you’ve probably noticed that Africa has emerged as a key hub for improved cookstove projects. That’s not to imply that we don’t have useful lessons right here in our backyard. In Pakistan, the introduction of “Chulahs”, or traditional mud stoves, led by the famous architect, Yasmeen Lari, won the World Habitat Award in 2018 for her innovative approach in the Sindh region. These cookstoves saw widespread adoption, since they were designed in collaboration with local women and aligned with cultural norms and cooking habits. The stoves, designed to reduce fuel consumption by 50%, also provided ventilation, reducing indoor air pollution dramatically.
The lesson here is that focus on understanding local needs and culture is vital. Successful cookstove projects have recognized that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. The same has been reiterated in studies from the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves: users are more likely to adopt and continue using new stoves if they fit within their daily routines, cooking habits, and financial constraints. That’s why many projects that failed to consider these factors saw their stoves gathering dust, unused, or only intermittently operated.
Carbon Credits and Beyond
One of the most compelling advantages of improved cookstove initiatives is their potential to generate carbon credits. It’s a win-win—families get cleaner air and spend less on fuel, while the emissions they save can be sold as credits to companies looking to offset their carbon footprint. So, it’s not just about cleaner cooking; it’s about creating real, ongoing value that helps both the environment and the community. In the best-case scenarios, like in Kenya, carbon credits have provided a steady stream of revenue to sustain these projects, ensuring communities continue using the stoves long after the initial distribution.
However, the question remains: can cookstoves create lasting impact beyond the allure of carbon credits? A study by Kammen notes that projects focusing solely on carbon offset revenue risk neglecting the social and economic benefits these stoves can provide. If the stoves are seen purely as a tool to generate credits, rather than addressing real community needs, they’re less likely to succeed in the long term.
Pakistan’s Path Forward
In Pakistan, cookstove projects have largely flown under the radar compared to Africa or India. However, the need is just as pressing. Rural areas from northern Pakistan, such as Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, depending heavily on firewood, to villages in south Punjab and Sindh, burning cow dung, desperately need intervention. Initiatives like those supported by Grand Challenges Canada have started addressing these issues by offering cleaner alternatives but scaling them up remains a challenge. Drawing from the success of the Chulahs in Sindh, future projects should emphasize community-driven designs that resonate with local customs. Pakistan, with its diverse cultural and geographical landscape, needs tailored approaches to implement efficient cookstoves in a meaningful way. Making the most out of the carbon market trends, integrating carbon credit models could also attract the much-needed funding, but the projects should prioritize social impact over revenue generation. Long-term success hinges on education, training, and ensuring the stoves remain a practical, affordable option for communities.