Promoting Clean Cooking Solutions in Cambodia: A Path Toward Reducing Air Pollution and Achieving Net Zero Emissions.

For many families in Cambodia, cooking dinner on an open fire is a daily reality. This method fills the home with smoke, causing discomfort and health risks as family members struggle to breathe amid burning eyes and coughing fits. The widespread use of inefficient stoves and fuels not only contributes to indoor air pollution but also plays a role in climate change.

However, there is hope on the horizon. New initiatives are being launched across the country to promote clean cooking methods and technologies. These solutions, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electric stoves, significantly improve indoor air quality while also contributing to Cambodia's net zero emissions goals. This article explores the ongoing efforts to expand access to clean cooking facilities and reduce harmful emissions from traditional cooking methods, which have historically posed risks to both human health and the environment.

Clean Cooking Solutions Available in Cambodia

Improved Cookstoves

Improved cookstoves, like the locally made New Lao Stove or the imported Envirofit stove, are designed to burn biomass fuel more efficiently than traditional stoves. These stoves require less wood fuel, reducing emissions by up to 60% and alleviating the burden on families to gather firewood daily. Financial assistance in the form of loans or subsidies makes these stoves more accessible to many households.

Biogas Systems

Biogas systems convert animal manure and organic waste into methane gas for cooking, providing a clean-burning fuel source and reducing emissions by up to 90%. While biogas systems involve an initial investment, the environmental and financial benefits are compelling. Subsidies and loans make these systems more affordable, and the nutrient-rich slurry produced can be used as fertilizer. Moreover, biogas systems reduce the risk of respiratory diseases associated with indoor air pollution, particularly benefiting children.

Solar Cookers

Solar cookers utilize the sun's energy to cook food and sterilize water, producing zero emissions. While they are inexpensive to operate after the initial purchase, solar cooking requires additional time and depends on sunny weather. Solar cookers are most effective when used in conjunction with more conventional stoves.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

LPG offers a cleaner alternative to biomass fuels, emitting lower levels of pollution. It is a convenient option for families with access to fuel delivery services or stores. Despite the high upfront costs of LPG fuel and stoves, many families find it to be a clean and efficient solution, especially with available subsidies and loans. However, access to LPG can be challenging in remote areas.

Electric Stoves

Electric stoves produce no emissions at the point of use, although they rely on Cambodia's electricity grid, which currently depends largely on coal and hydroelectric power. While electric stoves can be costly to purchase and operate, they provide significant health benefits when powered by renewable energy sources like solar or wind.

Benefits of Transitioning to Clean Cooking for Health, Environment, and Development

Improved Health and Reduced Disease

Transitioning to clean cooking fuels and technologies, such as biogas, improved cookstoves, electricity, or solar cookers, can lead to significant health improvements. Each year, over 4 million people die from the effects of indoor air pollution caused by solid fuels like coal, wood, and charcoal, which release toxic substances leading to respiratory illnesses or even death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), indoor air pollution causes more deaths than others combined.

Environmental Protection

The reliance on firewood and charcoal contributes to deforestation and the loss of habitats, threatening biodiversity and disrupting ecosystem management. Additionally, methane emissions from the charring process contribute to global warming by trapping heat within the earth's atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect.

Economic Opportunity

Many families spend a significant portion of their income on traditional fuels such as wood and kerosene. Clean energy solutions, in the long term, save both time and money due to their higher efficiency. These savings can be redirected towards other essential needs, such as education and healthcare. Furthermore, entrepreneurs and small businesses have opportunities to benefit from producing and distributing clean cooking technologies.