Enablers and Barriers to Large-Scale Uptake of Improved Solid Fuel Stoves: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Globally, 2.8 billion people rely on household solid fuels. Reducing the resulting adverse health, environmental, and development consequences will involve transitioning through a mix of clean fuels and improved solid fuel stoves (IS) of demonstrable effectiveness. To date, achieving uptake of IS has presented significant challenges.Objectives: We performed a systematic review of factors that enable or limit large-scale uptake of IS in low- and middle-income countries.Methods: We conducted systematic searches through multidisciplinary databases, specialist websites, and consulting experts. The review drew on qualitative, quantitative, and case studies and used standardized methods for screening, data extraction, critical appraisal, and synthesis. We summarized our findings as “factors” relating to one of seven domains—fuel and technology characteristics; household and setting characteristics; knowledge and perceptions; finance, tax, and subsidy aspects; market development; regulation, legislation, and standards; programmatic and policy mechanisms—and also recorded issues that impacted equity.Results: We identified 31 factors influencing uptake from 57 studies conducted in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. All domains matter. Although factors such as offering technologies that meet household needs and save fuel, user training and support, effective financing, and facilitative government action appear to be critical, none guarantee success: All factors can be influential, depending on context. The nature of available evidence did not permit further prioritization.Conclusions: Achieving adoption and sustained use of IS at a large scale requires that all factors, spanning household/community and program/societal levels, be assessed and supported by policy. We propose a planning tool that would aid this process and suggest further research to incorporate an evaluation of effectiveness.Citation: Rehfuess EA, Puzzolo E, Stanistreet D, Pope D, Bruce NG. 2014. Enablers and barriers to large-scale uptake of improved solid fuel stoves: a systematic review. Environ Health Perspect 122:120–130; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1306639

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Fuel Efficient Stoves among Rural Households in Borena Woreda: North central Ethiopia

“…Exposure to IAP is linked to several adverse health effects including acute respiratory infection, chronic obstructive lung disease, pregnancy complications, daily discomfort in women from coughs, headaches, stinging eyes and backaches. The supply of alternative energy services could positively benefit maternal health and reduce child mortality (Beyene and Koch, 2013;USAID, 2010;Anhalt and Holanda, 2009;Duflo and Greenstone, 2008;MoFED, 2010;Barnes et al, 2012 andRehfuess et al, 2014). A study in Mexico has shown that, stoves can reduce IAP by 70 percent, reducing the risk of a range of health impacts.…”

“…Educational status also plays a significant role in determining fuel choice. In addition, the higher education leads to better knowledge regarding modern fuels which could result in a greater likelihood of fuel-switching (ManyoPlange, 2011;Jan, 2012 andRehfuess et al, 2014). High wood prices or scarce supplies of wood are also factors which increase the likelihood of stove adoption (Barnes et al, 1994).…”

“…High wood prices or scarce supplies of wood are also factors which increase the likelihood of stove adoption (Barnes et al, 1994). Rehfuess et al (2014) added on this issue that households that purchase rather than collect solid fuels are more likely to adopt, reflecting the greater perceived value of monetary savings compared to time savings. Social capital (diffusion of information) has also its own impact of the adoption of fuel efficient stoves.…”

“…It also pointed out the relevance of high quality monitoring and extension services in stove adoption because bad news about the performance of the new technology can have adverse impacts in terms of the adoption processes. On the other hand, Rehfuess et al (2014) identified that (after thoroughly examining varied studies) larger family size as a barrier to stove adoption, possibly due to the low value assigned to time and labor used to collect firewood and/or the need to cook for more people. He also pointed out that lack of a permanent home or kitchen, as well as space limitations, can be obstacles to purchasing a built-in stove.…”

What’s for Dinner? Gendered Decision-Making and Energy Efficient Cookstoves in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

“…The main fuel used by households for cooking during the study was firewood and 88 percent of the respondents cook on three stone fireplaces whilst the remaining 12 percent cook on energy efficient cookstoves. In urban areas for example, it is commonplace for men to pay for fuel, while in rural areas it was usually obtained free of cost by women but its collection was associated with significant opportunity costs in the form of lost time for income generation and other productive activities as noted by our respondents: According to Rehfuess et al [36], the uptake of energy efficient stoves tends to be higher in settings where fuel is mostly purchased. The second most widely used fuel reported by respondents was charcoal which is transported in bags on trucks from sites of production to various retail locations so its price is often influenced by transportation costs.…”