How Uganda’s Clean Cooking Initiative is Saving Lives and Combating Climate Change

Christine Kagimu, a Ugandan mother, utilizes a solar-powered electric cooker as part of Uganda’s nationwide initiative to promote clean cooking technology. This effort, backed by UNEP, aims to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing health. There is a call to prioritize clean cooking in climate commitments, with plans to have 50% of the population using electric cooking by 2040, including efforts to support refugees in Uganda.

Christine Kagimu, a mother of six from a town near Kampala, Uganda, utilizes an electric induction cooker powered by two solar panels installed on her roof. This modern appliance replaces her previous charcoal stove, which was not only costly, priced at around USD 50 per bag, but also generated harmful soot. Kagimu expresses appreciation for solar energy, saying, “The sun is free for everyone… and it’s always going to be there.”

There has been a notable increase in Ugandans adopting electric cooking technologies as part of a national initiative backed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This initiative aims to reduce air pollution-related deaths, combat deforestation, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. John Christensen, Director of the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, highlights the often overlooked impact of cooking methods on health and the environment, stating, “If we can help people, especially those in the developing world, move away from polluting fuels, the benefits would be tremendous.”

More than two billion people worldwide still rely on solid fuels such as charcoal and kerosene for cooking, which adversely affects health. Household air pollution caused by these fuels is linked to approximately 3.2 million annual deaths as of 2020, including over 237,000 children under five. The use of non-renewable fuels is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and is responsible for the loss of approximately ten million hectares of forest yearly.

Clean cooking solutions such as solar-powered appliances will be highlighted on International Day of Clean Energy, which takes place annually on 26 January. A recent study published by UNEP indicates that solar cooking can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2-4 tonnes per stove annually, which is comparable to the emissions produced by one car in a year. This has led to calls for nations to prioritize clean cooking targets in their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Supported by the UNEP-led NDC Action project, Uganda has set clean cooking targets in its national climate strategy, aiming for 50% of its population to cook with electricity by 2040. With over 1.7 million refugees living in Uganda, efforts are being made to provide clean cooking options for these communities through the Africa-wide Solar Electric Cooking Partnership for Humanitarian Contexts, which aims to assist 250,000 households by 2030.

Justine Akumu, Senior Energy Officer at Uganda’s Ministry of Energy, emphasizes the need for financial solutions to enable rural communities to access these technologies affordably. Kagimu financed her electric cooking system, paying half of the USD 300 cost up front and the remainder through a zero percent interest credit arrangement, expecting to recuperate costs within two years while enjoying the ease of use.

The International Day of Clean Energy serves to raise awareness and inspire actions towards a just transition to clean energy, benefiting both people and the environment. UNEP plays a crucial role in supporting the Paris Agreement’s objective to limit global temperature increases significantly. To achieve this, UNEP has created the Sectoral Solution, a strategic plan aimed at reducing emissions across multiple sectors, including energy, industry, agriculture, and transport.

Uganda’s initiative to promote clean cooking through solar-powered electric appliances demonstrates a crucial step towards enhancing public health and addressing climate change. With significant backing from UNEP and a clear roadmap to achieve substantial emission reductions, Uganda’s commitment to clean cooking aims to empower its citizens and integrate refugees into sustainable practices by 2030. Ensuring access to affordable technologies will further facilitate this transition and enhance overall well-being.

Original Source: www.unep.org