Systems Strategy Framework

This principle is central to how the Strategy considers the role of both national governments and households in the ecosystem. A Strategy grounded in leadership and ownership by national governments defining their own bold future will be more sustained and actionable. Furthermore, the principle of self-determination is reflected in the placement of users at the center of the Strategy. This acknowledges that all decision making should be shaped by the needs and experiences of users, and we should seek to elevate the user experience and user voices in all processes.

The Strategy must be explicit and intentional to ensure all populations – especially the most vulnerable and poorest – can achieve access, and that governments and markets will need to design and deliver solutions that meet the specific needs of each population. For many, this will require a transition to improved solutions, and ultimately to clean and climate compatible solutions. These transitions must be centered on equity and justice for all households, ensuring that clean solutions are ultimately accessible to all. Furthermore, we recognize that where there are competing priorities across important dimensions of human health, economic development, and climate stability, we must not choose pathways that put the greatest burden on the poorest or most vulnerable.

This requires doing more with our collective resources, and finding ways to better coordinate and collaborate around shared priorities. A systems approach requires understanding how the system operates as a whole and connects with other systems, and understanding root causes of challenges so that solutions begin to shift underlying power dynamics, incentives, and mindsets. All of this is needed to transform the systems that deliver clean cooking solutions to households and institutions. The Strategy aims to dismantle the negative reinforcing cycles of zero-sum competition and underlying scarcity mindsets, and replace them with more positive cycles that expand resources and attention towards clean cooking. This is done in part by elevating clean cooking as fundamental to achieving the climate, health and gender goals of national governments and the broader international community.