Lesotho

Lesotho’s clean cooking sector is making gradual progress, though significant challenges remain. As of 2023, only 53.8% of the population had access to clean cooking fuels and technologies (World Bank), with most households still relying on traditional biomass like wood and charcoal. This contributes heavily to indoor air pollution, respiratory diseases, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions, 63% of which come from the energy sector (SNV).

Common clean cooking solutions in the country include solar-biomass hybrid stoves, electric pressure cookers (EPCs), and biogas systems. A standout local innovation is the ACE One stove, produced by African Clean Energy (ACE), which reduces fuel use by up to 70% and smoke emissions by 95%, while also providing lighting and phone charging(SNV). ACE operates through local energy hubs with a pay-as-you-go model, reaching off-grid communities and supporting women-led enterprises. In 2022, the World Food Programme also piloted EPCs in schools in Lesotho, showing significant cost savings and faster, cleaner cooking, with potential for national scale-up.

The Government of Lesotho, in partnership with organizations like UNIDO and the Green Climate Fund, is working to support private-sector involvement and improve access to climate finance. However, local efforts remain constrained by policy and fiscal barriers, including high import taxes and limited government incentives. For the sector to expand, there is a pressing need for stronger national policies, removal of financial bottlenecks, and enhanced support for innovation and rural distribution. Scaling successful pilot projects, creating enabling regulatory frameworks, and investing in local enterprises will be key to achieving widespread access to clean cooking across the country.

Created from: World Development Indicators | DataBank

Nationally Determined Contributions

Lesotho’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement outlines several clear commitments related to clean cooking and household energy, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving public health. The country aims to achieve 30% penetration of efficient cookstoves by 2030, alongside a plan to reduce fuelwood use for heating to just 10% of total fuel consumption. To accelerate this transition, Lesotho aims to replace 10% of fuelwood use with LPG annually between 2020 and 2030. The NDC also promotes the installation of biogas digesters in rural households to produce clean cooking gas as a sustainable alternative to traditional fuels.

These clean cooking goals are integrated into Lesotho’s broader climate and energy strategy. The country aims to improve energy efficiency by 20%, increase household electricity access from 35% in 2015 to 50% by 2030, and expand renewable energy capacity by 200 MW, including wind, solar, and hydropower. Lesotho’s Second NDC (2024–2030) reaffirms energy-sector mitigation as a top priority, signaling a sustained commitment to clean energy access and climate resilience. Together, these targets reflect a national effort to reduce reliance on biomass, improve air quality, and align with global climate goals through sustainable energy solutions.

Tax and Tariff Data

This table shows Lesotho Duty and VAT for clean cooking items, as of 2025:

SOURCES:

• Total Credits Issued: 254,272
• Total Credits Retired: 25,316
• Number of Projects: 2 (2 GS + 0 VCS)
• Count of Project Developers: 2

Source: Voluntary Registry Offsets Database (Berkeley Carbon Trading Project)