Mutual Support—Modern Energy Planning Inclusive of Cooking—A Review of Research into Action in Africa and Asia since 2018

Abstract

This paper is a review of research undertaken, and subsequent policy change enacted, in the years 2018 to 2022 regarding the integration of cooking loads and needs into modern energy planning. Building on an earlier paper which described how the dominant global approaches to tackling the enduring problem of biomass-fuelled cooking was failing, and how a new UK Aid programme (Oct 2018) would be seeking to intentionally change international energy policy towards cooking and enable a significant transition in energy use, in this paper we review whether this strategy is being adopted by researchers, governments, and the private sector across the world and whether it is likely to make a significant contribution to the fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goal 7. In particular, the call is for integrated planning of modern energy inclusive of cooking loads—the potential ‘Mutual Support’ that both can lend to each other. The review considers the international commitments made by donors and governments to this end, the research that positions the use of modern energy as a cost-effective proposition, the urbanisation and societal changes reinforcing such planning, and positions the review in the light of climate change and the need to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

A geospatial approach to understanding clean cooking challenges in sub-Saharan Africa

“…https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-022-01039-8 would deliver non-cooking benefits to households. Indeed, previous research has shown that investment towards SDG target 7.1.1 (universal electricity access) can also be viewed as investment towards SDG target 7.1.2 (universal access to clean cooking) and vice versa [26][27][28] .…”

“…However, we do not model how electricity access (via grid extension or decentralized electrification) may develop. Future research should therefore link this tool with electrification models to overcome the 'mutual neglect' between SDG 7 targets [26][27][28] . Future research should also aim to better model affordability issues.…”

“…A notable example is the growing set of cooking appliances powered by off-grid electricity solutions. Such 'eCooking' solutions have been shown viable in recent studies, and their advantages will further become apparent as the cost of renewable off-grid systems decrease, or where the electrical grid remains unreliable 28,47 . Future research should consider the role of these eCooking alternatives in the optimal stove mix.…”

The Emergence of Large-Scale Bioethanol Utilities: Accelerating Energy Transitions for Cooking

“…[6,36] suggest the development of a specialized agency focused on the promotion of the bioethanol industry. The characteristics of the fuel itself are important for the benefits achieved, but so too is the design of the customer-facing fueling infrastructure, as also found by [39].…”

Unlocking sustained use of clean cooking technologies in Uganda: the influence of technology-specific attributes

“…A host of NGOs and partnerships worldwide, including the Clean Cooking Alliance (CAA), Global Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Partnerships, World LPG Association, Partnership for Clean Indoor Air (PCIA) and Global Alliance for Clean Cook-Stoves (GACC), are making positive strides to promote the use of clean cooking systems across the globe (United Nations, 2021). Several policies, among which include Climate Change Policy, International Energy Policy, Clean Cooking Policies, National Energy Policy, WHO Household Energy Policy Repository and Policies supporting LPG and ethanol for clean cooking, have been developed to accelerate access to clean cooking energy, especially in low-income countries (Batchelor et al , 2022). It is worth noting that the implementation agenda has widely focused on technology-specific attributes, socioeconomic factors, perceived welfare benefits and user satisfaction as sustainable drivers (Ardrey, 2020).…”