Each year, millions suffer the consequences of cooking with traditional fuels such as wood, charcoal and kerosene. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 4 million people die annually from illnesses linked to household air pollution caused by burning solid fuels like wood and charcoal. In Africa, nearly four in five people are exposed to hazardous indoor smoke, making it a leading cause of premature death—especially for women and children. Globally, 99% of the population breathes air that the WHO considers unsafe, highlighting the widespread impact of polluted cooking.

Health and Environmental Impact of Polluted Cooking

More than 850 million people in Africa still rely on traditional fuels for cooking, making toxic indoor smoke the second-leading cause of premature death after malaria. The health risks include pneumonia, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, disproportionately affecting women who spend extended hours cooking.

Beyond its health implications, polluted cooking contributes significantly to environmental degradation. Each year, burning wood fuels releases one gigaton of carbon dioxide, accounting for 2% of global carbon emissions and accelerating deforestation. Switching to cleaner energy alternatives, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biofuels or solar-powered cookstoves, could mitigate these impacts while preserving biodiversity.

The burden of collecting fuel for cooking falls heavily on women and children, who spend up to 20 hours per week gathering firewood. This time-consuming task limits educational opportunities, keeping children, particularly girls, from attending school and perpetuating cycles of poverty. Without access to clean cooking, families face economic hardship, poor health outcomes and environmental risks, making this issue one of the most pressing challenges in global development.

Clean Cooking Alliance: Driving Change

The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) is leading efforts to expand access to clean cooking solutions. The organization collaborates with governments, businesses and nonprofits to create a sustainable, scalable industry focused on modern cooking technologies. CCA’s strategy revolves around:

• Driving Consumer Demand – Increasing awareness and behavioral change to encourage the transition to clean cooking.
• Mobilizing Investment – Attracting funding to grow businesses that produce and distribute affordable clean stoves and fuels.
• Supporting Policies – Advocating for government policies that prioritize clean energy solutions.

CCA has already made a measurable impact by providing $8.6 million in grants to clean energy companies, investing $2 million in gender-focused initiatives and reaching 40 million people through awareness campaigns. Alex Eton, CEO of Sistema.Bio, calls clean cooking “a pathway out of poverty.”

Challenges and Opportunities for Expansion

While Africa’s renewable energy sector is booming, clean cooking solutions remain underfunded. Between 2019 and 2020, investment in clean cooking businesses dropped from $25 million to just $10 million, limiting growth and accessibility. Low consumer demand and insufficient financing continue to hinder widespread adoption. Despite these obstacles, clean cooking offers significant health, economic and environmental benefits. Cleaner stoves reduce fuel consumption by 30-60%, lowering household costs and carbon emissions. Access to clean cooking solutions lowers the risk of respiratory infections, cardiovascular diseases and pregnancy complications.

Spark+ Africa Fund: Scaling Clean Cooking Solutions

To address the funding gap, CCA launched Spark+ Africa—the world’s first impact fund dedicated to financing clean cooking solutions. This initiative aims to create greater access to capital for businesses while delivering:

• Improved respiratory health for millions of people.
• Gender equality by reducing time poverty for women.
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.
• Job creation in the renewable energy sector.

Empowering Women Through Clean Cooking

CCA’s commitment to gender equity is central to its mission. The organization states, “Women must be part of the process,” emphasizing its role in both using and promoting clean cooking solutions. The Women in Clean Cooking (WICC) mentorship program, launched in 2020, connects female professionals with industry leaders to support career growth, entrepreneurship and leadership in sustainable energy.

Engaging Youth in the Clean Cooking Movement

With 90% of the world’s 1.8 billion youth living in developing countries—where access to clean cooking remains limited—CCA recognizes the importance of engaging young people. The organization has launched youth-driven initiatives to promote leadership in the clean cooking sector, including:

• Sponsoring the 2023 YES! Youth Energy Summit, featuring youth-led discussions on clean energy.
• Sending the first youth delegation to the 2022 One Young World Summit, increasing awareness and advocacy efforts.
• Creating a youth consultation process to ensure that young voices influence policy and investment decisions.

The Road Ahead

The Clean Cooking Alliance continues to expand its efforts, with upcoming global conferences in March 2025, focusing on clean energy, climate action and poverty reduction. However, achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030 requires stronger commitments from governments, private investors and international organizations. The Clean Cooking Alliance’s work represents a crucial step toward a future where clean cooking is no longer a privilege but a right. By addressing health risks, environmental concerns and economic barriers, CCA is leading a movement that has the potential to transform millions of lives worldwide. With continued investment and innovation, clean cooking could not only improve health and environmental conditions but also drive sustainable development in communities most in need.

– Amani Almasri

Amani is based in Durham, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr