For many people in the developing world getting enough food to eat
is a persistent challenge. However the challenge does not stop there. A
new issue of the international journal Energy Policy details
the human and environmental cost of cooking food using the only energy
source available to many people, woody biomass.
The Special Issue explores the type of decision frameworks
that are needed to guide policy development for clean cooking fuels and
to ensure that the provision of clean energy becomes a central
component of sustainable development. Additionally, it presents a
research agenda and an action agenda to facilitate the development and
adoption of cleaner cooking fuels and technologies and analyses why
past programs to improve access to clean cooking fuels have succeeded
or failed.
Universal access to clean energy is a stated goal of the
United Nations and is a key entry point for reducing emissions of black
carbon and other particulates - known to negatively impact the
climate. The scale of the issue and opportunity to minimise emissions
through adoption of clean cooking fuels and stoves was highlighted in a
new report from the UN Environment Program released on Friday 25th
November and will be a focus of discussions at the UNFCCC climate talks
commencing in Durban today.
