The power of clean cooking and the case of BURN

Clean cooking remains an often-overlooked concept in urban areas and high-income economies. However, for many families in developing countries, especially in rural areas, cooking involves using biomass like wood or charcoal, which releases harmful pollutants into the air. The smoke from these fuels causes respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Women and children, who spend the most time near cooking fires, are disproportionately affected. Moreover, women and girls often have to walk miles to collect firewood, loading it on their backs and transporting it home.

My personal experience entering households that use the so-called three-stone stove (open fires)  has been a painful one. Eyes begin to water, the smoke chokes you, and I could only endure it for about 20 minutes before feeling very dizzy. This problem, known as indoor pollution, is a silent killer, claiming millions of lives globally every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 4 million people die prematurely from illnesses attributable to household air pollution from inefficient cooking practices. The statistics from the WHO reveal that a common activity like cooking is responsible for millions of deaths.

Shocking statistics:

• Around 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using open fires and simple stoves burning biomass (wood, animal dung, and crop waste) and coal.

• Over 4 million people die prematurely from illnesses attributable to household air pollution from cooking with solid fuels.

• More than 50% of premature deaths due to pneumonia among children under five are caused by particulate matter (soot) inhaled from household air pollution.

• 3.8 million premature deaths annually from noncommunicable diseases, including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer, are attributed to exposure to household air pollution.

Source WHO (link https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution)

Moreover, indoor pollution starts to affect lives even before birth. Mothers living in households that utilize biomass fuel have a 74% higher risk of giving birth to low birthweight children than mothers who live in households without air pollution from biomass fuel (Gebremeskel Kanno and Hussen Kabthymer, 2021). Several academics studies have demonstrated the impact of this killer, even in the past (Raiyani et al. 1993), and small changes in fuel go a long way in reducing pollutant (Tumwesige et al, 2017)

Innovators and companies are striving to solve these problems and offer affordable, clean solutions. One notable example is BURN, led by CEO and founder Peter Scott. His journey into the world of clean cooking began in the 1990s. "When I was 14, I told my mom I was going to save the world. And she said, 'Well, of course, you are.' And so, I've been trying to do that ever since," Scott recalls. His commitment to environmental conservation and improving livelihoods led him to Africa, where he witnessed the devastating effects of deforestation caused by charcoal production. Scott realized that clean cooking could have a significant impact on both health and environmental conservation and his journey to find solutions started in 2010.

Now BURN designs, manufactures, and distributes fuel-efficient cooking appliances that drastically reduce indoor air pollution and fuel consumption while also generating the highest integrity carbon projects. BURN's mission is clear: to save lives and forests through innovative cooking solutions. "We make about 250,000 stoves every month. That's not per year; that's per month," Scott emphasizes. Burn’s stoves are designed to be fuel-efficient, reducing the need for charcoal and wood, thereby decreasing deforestation and the health risks associated with indoor air pollution.

One of BURN's flagship products is the Jikokoa, the world's most fuel-efficient charcoal cooking appliance. By using the Jikokoa, families can save up to 60% on fuel costs and reduce smoke emissions by more than 70%. Burn has also developed wood, LPG, and electric cooking stoves catering to different needs and contexts within Africa. Betting on electricity is the next step to fully decarbonize cooking.

The stoves have a cost, and a critical component of BURN's business model is the use of carbon credits, which allow BURN to make their stoves affordable for even the poorest of families. "Without carbon finance, I can't bring any stoves. You're pro-killing women and children if you're against it," Scott vehemently asserts. Carbon credits work by monetizing the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions achieved using BURN's cooking appliances. This revenue is then used to subsidize the cost of the stoves, making them accessible to low-income households. For instance, an appliance that would typically cost $40 can be sold for as little as $3, thanks to carbon credit financing.

In the last 18 months, BURN has provided ~$60 million of such discounts, allowing families to access lifesaving technology that would otherwise have been unattainable. In the next 18 months, BURN expects to provide an additional $110 Million in discounts. (In fact, more is possible as we have built the manufacturing and home delivery infrastructure across the continent to utilize $250 Million of carbon finance each year).   

As the writer, I acknowledge the controversy surrounding carbon credits and the need for more transparency and more studies. Some early research shows positive results with cooking appliances  (Lambe et al., 2015), but more is needed.

However, the impact of BURN is not confined to the clean cooking space. By manufacturing locally in Kenya, BURN creates jobs and stimulates the local economy. "The total number of employees is 3,500. In terms of the people employed directly in manufacturing, it's probably something like 1,300," Scott notes. This local manufacturing is critical to bringing about even more transformation in creating green jobs worldwide. 

The road to clean cooking is not smooth. At the macro level, one challenge for startups and companies is changing the perception of what is possible in Africa. "People have a very antiquated idea of Africa in general. They're not switched on to what's actually happening here, which is the dynamism of this place," Scott explains. This is true especially when seeking and attracting more finance and capital.

At the micro level, another challenge is ensuring that stoves reach those who need them the most. BURN utilizes various distribution models, including sales through supermarkets and direct-to-consumer sales via a network of 1,500 agents across the continent. They also use pay-as-you-cook financing, allowing families to pay for their stoves in small, manageable installments.

A simple solution is to bring multiple benefits for communities. As the author, I have supported many stoves and biogas to rural communities and witnessed first handfirst-hand the impact in the daily lives of women and girls. We can summarize the benefits in 3 areas. Firstly, BURN’s stoves reduce fuel costs for families, freeing up income for other essential needs. Then, they decrease deforestation and carbon emissions and most importantly significantly reduce indoor air pollution, improving the health of women and children.

Scott has a bold vision. "The goal really is that every household in Africa will have one of our products. That's a couple of billion products," he states. BURN is not only focused on scaling its production but also on continuing to innovate. They have recently ventured into electric cooking, recognizing the potential for this technology to leapfrog traditional fuels in many parts of Africa.

Innovators like Peter Scott and companies like BURN are transforming lives at the bottom of the pyramid, demonstrating the power of sustainable businesses with a pro-social solid motivation. Their work underscores the importance of clean cooking solutions in improving health, conserving the environment, and empowering communities in emerging economies.

References:

Gebremeskel Kanno, G., & Hussen Kabthymer, R.. (2021). Association of low birthweight with indoor air pollution from biomass fuel in sub-Saharan Africa: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Sustainable Environment, 7(1), 1922185

Lambe, F., Jürisoo, M., Lee, C., & Johnson, O. (2015). Can carbon finance transform household energy markets? A review of cookstove projects and programs in Kenya. Energy Research & Social Science, 5, 55-66.

Raiyani, C. V., Shah, S. H., Desai, N. M., Venkaiah, K., Patel, J. S., Parikh, D. J., & Kashyap, S. K. (1993). Characterization and problems of indoor pollution due to cooking stove smoke. Atmospheric Environment. Part A. General Topics, 27(11), 1643-1655.

Tumwesige, V., Okello, G., Semple, S., & Smith, J.. (2017). Impact of partial fuel switch on household air pollutants in sub-Sahara Africa. Environmental Pollution, 231, 1021–102