From the Margins: How Gender and Kitchens Got Sidetracked in the Energy Debate
Having just completed an internship with the Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA), I had the opportunity to engage with Her Excellency Hajia Samira Bawumia, the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana and a staunch advocate for clean cooking, during an event on climate change and clean cooking access.
In a hall filled with eager listeners, I asked her about knowledge transfer between South Asian and African countries for innovative cooking solutions like electric and biomass stoves, regions where clean cooking is a pressing issue, and women and children are the clear victims of it. Her response left a mark: “We don’t cook the same. And no one understands that.” In my own experience as a master’s student attempting to incorporate fundamental frameworks for policymaking and evidence-based solutions into my narrative of tangible development, I forgot about what actually goes on in the kitchen.
Cooking appears obscure to those not impacted by its drudgery. It is often taken for granted that clean and efficient energy sources like electricity and gas power our kitchens. Yet, across the globe, approximately 2.3 billion individuals, predominantly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, lack access to these modern cooking amenities. Instead, they rely on age-old, carbon-intensive methods such as burning wood and charcoal. These methods aren’t just inefficient; they contribute significantly to the global carbon footprint.
It’s a stark truth: this pervasive, almost willful neglect of being unable to use clean fuels is associated with 3.7 million to untimely deaths annually. Clean cooking remains one of the most underfunded development challenges, receiving a fraction of the funding it needs to increase access.
In the collective narrative of progress, we’ve all forgotten about the kitchen — and with it, women’s silent, enduring labor.
Clean Energy Investments Versus Clean Cooking: A Disproportionate Focus
Clean cooking, vital in daily life, is often eclipsed by larger clean energy investments in wind, solar, and hydropower. This imbalance is stark: trillions flow into broad clean energy sectors while funding for clean cooking lags far behind. Despite appearing minor, the emissions from traditional cooking methods are significant. They contribute to nearly 58% of global black carbon emissions and around 2% of global emissions annually.
Recent developments offer a glimmer of hope. According to the latest report by CCA, investment in clean cooking enterprises surged to a historic peak of US $215 million in 2022, marking an 80% increase from the previous year. This surge, largely propelled by carbon finance, signifies a growing recognition of clean cooking’s role in climate action. Notably, debt has emerged as the predominant funding source, reflecting the sector’s evolution and the compelling appeal of carbon-driven business models. Yet, despite these advancements, the concentration of investments in a handful of enterprises and the dominance of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) projects underscore an ongoing challenge in diversifying and expanding the clean cooking industry. Addressing this requires substantial investment; achieving universal clean cooking access by 2030 needs an estimated $8 billion yearly.
This funding gap has far-reaching consequences, not just environmentally but also regarding public health, climate impact, and gender equity. The World Bank estimates the global cost of inaction on clean cooking exceeds $2.4 trillion annually. Investing in clean cooking is critical and promises comprehensive benefits beyond mere financial returns.
Prioritizing Treatment Over Causes:
More often than not, the world’s narrative leans towards treating consequences rather than preempting root causes. While global efforts are intensifying to promote gender equality — by championing increased participation of women in the workforce, advancing their educational opportunities, and bolstering their representation across sectors — we often miss the forest for the trees. We tend to address the visible symptoms of gender disparity without diving into its deeper roots. The kitchen, despite being central to the lives of many women worldwide, remains overlooked. By sidelining such foundational spaces in our pursuit of larger goals, we inadvertently perpetuate a cycle where the underlying causes of gender inequality remain unchallenged.
There’s also a less-discussed factor: the allure of glamor. High-profile energy conferences and discussions about mega solar farms or offshore wind turbines carry a cachet. In contrast, the gritty reality of revolutionizing rural kitchens or the labor-intensive process of replacing traditional stoves with cleaner alternatives lacks the sheen to draw widespread attention.
The Path Forward: Recognizing and Rectifying
The Sustainable Development Goals Summit 2023, marking the halfway point to the 2030 Agenda, highlighted the need for broader access to clean cooking solutions. With its ambitious targets for the next decade, the Energy Compacts initiative focuses on connecting millions more to electricity and clean cooking solutions, especially in underserved regions.
Imagine a scenario where women are no longer tethered to smoky hearths, girls aren’t pulled out of schools to gather firewood, and families flourish in healthier, more nurturing environments. This is no utopian dream but a tangible reality well within our grasp. It’s not just about reducing emissions or conserving resources; it’s about granting a space as fundamental as the kitchen its due reverence.
