13/10/2022

Current trends, user centric approaches and the case for clean cooking

Woman cooking

Still, 2.4 billion people worldwide depend on food cooked over polluting open fires or inefficient stoves. On the occasion of the Clean Cooking Forum held in Ghana this week, we discuss current trends with the Global Technical Advisor for Clean Cooking, Raphael Nguyen. And look at what can be done to scale the market to give communities more access to cleaner forms of cooking.

1. With the Clean Cooking Forum this week, what new trends do you see in the clean cooking market?

What I can see is that there are several trends currently shaping the clean cooking market:

  • Most businesses continue to struggle with raising capital.

  • Several companies have used product diversification across fuel types as a key growth strategy.

  • More catalytic support is required for consumer financing initiatives.

  • Companies' interest in and ability to leverage carbon finance has grown.

  • Product development has increased, focusing on higher-tier cooking solutions and real-time tracking of consumer usage data.

2. How can communities be encouraged to change from traditional cooking methods to new forms of cooking?

New clean cooking products and services must be designed with a thorough understanding of user needs, preferences, and behaviours in mind. Instead of finding consumers for products, products must be designed for them. Insurers need to embed insights into the design and delivery of clean cooking solutions that delight customers. A user-centric strategy maximises impact as well as long-term market performance.

3. Can you give any examples of a user-centric approach?

A behaviour change campaign, an essential component of any self-sustaining health and social programme, can assist in increasing the adoption and utilisation of clean energy for the poor. Instilling trust and communicating how clean cooking technologies align with local traditions, beliefs, and practices are critical behaviour change techniques.

4. With COP27 also on the horizon, how does clean cooking accelerate progress toward climate goals?

Clean cooking is ranked as the sixth most impactful climate solution to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Clean cooking is one of the world's least-funded climate and development solutions. The time has come for the sub-sector of clean cooking to take its seat at the table and assume its essential role.

Many countries have already recognised that combating climate change necessitates expanding access to clean cooking methods. 67 nations have included household energy or clean cooking goals in their National Determined Contributions, but these commitments must be translated into action.

5. What are your hopes/messages for this year's Clean Cooking Forum?

On the path to COP27, the Clean Cooking Forum 2022 must engage stakeholders to increase action, innovation, and investment in clean cooking to accelerate progress toward global climate goals.

For more information on SNV's clean cookstoves initiatives, please contact Raphael Nguyen.