Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves

The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves is a non-profit organization operating under the support of the United Nations Foundation.^[2] Their work focuses on improving health and environment through encouraging changes in cooking methods and types of stoves used in developing countries to pollute less and reduce indoor air pollution.^[3] According to the World Health Organization, 4.3 million people a year die from health problems attributable to exposure to smoke from solid fuel stoves.^[4]

They also provide grants for research and initiatives that support the aims of the Alliance,^[5] advocate for international standards for stove manufacturers ^[6] and coordinate research and knowledge of the issues surrounding the use of clean cookstoves. The organization is supported by governments, corporations, foundations, civil society, investors, and individuals..^[7]

Chinese National Improved Stove Program

The Chinese Government introduced 129 million "improved" stoves to several rural areas in China over a period of a decade. Up to two thirds of the stoves introduced are still in use today. The cook stoves mainly used wood or crop residue for fuel, although many residents of Northern areas received cooking/space-heating stoves. This was heralded as an extraordinary success in that, according to reports produced by the Chinese National Improved Stove Program, more than 50% of people living in rural areas had improved stoves installed.^[8]

Celebrity Endorsement

United States celebrity, actress Julia Roberts is a high-profile supporter and champion of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.^[9] She is reported to have learned of the organisation while filming an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Given the incredibly high value of her celebrity endorsement and time spent on the project, she has added tens of thousands of dollars worth of free advocacy for the Alliance.

Other celebrity endorsers include China's Zhao Wei,^[10] Ghana's Rocky Dawuni^[11] and Stephen Appiah.^[12]

References

Further reading

1. The Berkeley Blog: When cooking can kill
2. Biofuels Digest: Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves awards SMEFUNDS with Spark grant
3. Coastweek: Kenya’s women urged to embrace cookstoves to curb pollution
4. Colorado State University: Colorado State University studies impact of reduced cookstove emissions on the climate
5. Energy Live News: Bangladeshi cooking stoves to offset M&S carbon
6. Ghana News Agency: Govt distributed LPG cylinders and cook stoves
7. Ghana Soccer Net: Ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah made ambassador for Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves
8. Gov.UK: Climate change: DFID wins award for clean cooking initiative
9. The Guardian: Cookstove designs are failing the poorest communities
10. International Business Times: Green Development: Advocates Say There's One Simple Solution To Health And Energy Woes In Developing Countries: The Clean Cookstove
11. PBS Newshour: Designing cleaner stoves for home cooks in the developing world
12. Peace FM Online: International Women’s Day: Cooking Shouldn’t Kill
13. Sci Dev Net: Urgent action needed for clean cooking, heating fuels
14. Swedish Energy Agency: The Swedish Energy Agency supports Improved Cookstoves in Africa
15. Thomson Reuters Foundation: Darfur cookstove project earns Sudan's first carbon credits
16. United Nations Foundation: Strengthening the Safety of Women Refugees through Cleaner Cookstoves
17. The White House: Protecting Public Health and the Environment
18. University of Washington Clean Cookstoves Research