Cooking-energy transition in Nepal: trend review

Abstract

Clean-cooking energy is key to meeting climate-mitigation goals and a range of development objectives, especially for improving the well-being of women and children. Inefficient burning of solid biomass for cooking releases household air pollution that is hazardous to health, while putting pressure on forest resources. This paper provides an overview of the household-cooking-energy transition in Nepal to date. Despite numerous efforts by the government and other actors to speed this transition, energy data spanning the years 2000–18 reveal that ~69% of households nationwide still rely on solid fuels for cooking today. The proportion of solid-fuel users is especially high in rural regions, reaching >80%. Moreover, if the current rate of progress is not accelerated, the use of solid fuels will remain high even in 2030, preventing the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7. Cooking-fuel choices are heavily constrained by accessibility, demographic and socio-economic factors. Thus, this paper recommends that evidence-based and integrated policies and strategies be urgently deployed to foster a more effective and rapid transition towards clean energy, which is critical to achieving SDG 7.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a Framework for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

“…Affordable and clean energy is directly related to other SDGs [196]. Energy production enhancement, energy efficiency [197,198], alternative energy resources [199], modern and renewable energy [200], clean cooking [201,202], energy cost [203], and zero-carbon energy and greenhouse gasses [204] are just a few highlights of the SDG-7 literature.…”

Cancer Prevention Strategies for Nepal

“…13 While for acute and chronic respiratory health reasons, there has been increased attention to the problem of solid fuel burning in 69% of Nepalese homes, the likely contribution of this home air pollution to lung cancer in women in particular has not been emphasized. 14 Further compounding interpretation of the contributions of previous personal tobacco smoking, passive smoking, and home solid fuel-burning to lung cancer rates, is the uncertain, but strongly suspected contribution of general urban air pollution, particularly in the Kathmandu valley. 15 Betel-nut chewing in various forms (particularly with tobacco as a PAAN) is associated with head and neck cancers of the lip, mouth, and pharynx.…”

“…There has simply not been enough public health attention and messaging about the pleomorphic adverse health consequences of solid fuel-burning JNMA I VOL 60 I ISSUE 245 I JANUARY 2022 which occurs in 69% of Nepali homes, and more frequently in rural communities. 14 Women and children are disproportionately affected with pulmonary and cardiovascular chronic illnesses in addition to lung cancer from this exposure. Messaging themes focusing on children's health and gender equity may be notably effective.…”

Current challenges and future prospect of biomass cooking and heating stoves in Asian Countries

“…In Nepal, 69% of the country's population relies on solid biomass (wood, cattle manure, agricultural waste) and 75% of people rely on TCS for cooking and heating (Paudel et al, 2021). In rural areas, high amounts of indoor smoke have been reported in kitchens utilizing (TCS).…”