Achieving energy transition, climate goals through clean cooking

Imagine a scenario in which you, or other members of your household, are forced to cook family meals in a smoke-filled kitchen, with the smoke stinging your eyes every time.

This is the reality for the millions of Nigerians who have no choice other than to cook with firewood, charcoal and other rudimentary fuels. While these fuels have been a cornerstone of household energy for generations, they are increasingly recognized as a severe health hazard and an environmental challenge.

According to 2022 data from Tracking SDG7, only about 25.6 per cent of Nigerians have access to clean cooking energy such as grid electricity or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This figure lags behind Ghana’s 31per cent and South Africa’s impressive 89per cent, highlighting an urgent need for change. In Nigeria, economic challenges have only worsened the situation, forcing many who had adopted cleaner cooking solutions, such as LPG, to revert to rudimentary fuels.

Clean cooking, which involves the use of cookstoves and fuels that reduce or eradicate reliance on rudimentary fuels, is far more than a buzzword—it is a necessity with profound implications for health, socio-economic development, empowerment of women and the environment. Transitioning to clean cooking technologies offers a pathway to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping Nigeria meet her Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

This shift aligns with global climate ambitions by curbing black carbon emissions from traditional stoves, a potent contributor to global warming. To address these intertwined challenges, a High-Level Dialogue on Household Energy Policy Making in Nigeria was recently convened in Abuja with policymakers, academics, NGOs, and private sector representatives to discuss insights from scholarly research regarding policies that have the potential to reduce Nigeria’s clean cooking deficit.

Feedback from this dialogue between research and policy reveal the critical need for political leadership to champion clean cooking initiatives. Legislators, state executives, and federal policymakers can make clean cooking a priority by integrating it into constituency projects and broader development agendas. Such leadership needs to adopt a collaborative, transdisciplinary approach, drawing on the expertise of research institutions, community organizations, and international partners for interventions that deliver health and climate benefits effectively.

Equally important, Nigeria’s diversity necessitates tailored solutions to promote the uptake of clean cooking solutions. Technologies must reflect local preferences for stoves and fuels, fostering a sense of ownership among communities. Engaging these communities in the design and implementation of interventions increases their chances of acceptance and sustainability.

Transparent selection of beneficiaries and affordability measures are also vital. Since women are often at the center of household energy use, their insights must shape clean cooking projects to ensure they address practical and cultural needs effectively.

Resilience is another cornerstone that is crucial to a sustainable clean cooking strategy. The disruptions caused by economic crises, pandemics, natural disasters and displacements from security threats highlight the importance of preparing for challenges that could derail progress. The extant National Clean Cooking Policy should be reviewed to reflect and anticipate these contingencies to prevent communities from reverting to harmful cooking practices during emergencies.

Clean cooking continues to hold transformative potential for Nigeria’s energy mix. Renewable energy sources like biogas and biofuels remain largely untapped, yet they could play a pivotal role in revolutionizing the sector. Electric cooking (or eCooking) is another promising pathway, provided the country ensures a reliable supply of electricity and energy-efficient cooking appliances that are affordable for the majority. Expanding research capacity through grants and training is critical to advancing these technologies. Platforms like the Nigeria Clean Cooking Forum can serve as vital bridges, linking research, policy, and practical implementation to scale up clean cooking solutions.

Financing clean cooking transitions remains a significant hurdle, but innovative mechanisms like climate finance and carbon trading offer promising solutions. By leveraging carbon credits, Nigeria can make clean cooking technologies more accessible and affordable while supporting households that depend on charcoal production in their transition to alternative livelihoods. This systems-based approach ensures that the transition to cleaner energy does not leave vulnerable populations behind.

The journey towards clean cooking is integral to the success of Nigeria’s broader energy transition. By reducing reliance on smoke-emitting, rudimentary fuels, the country can lower her greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with climate targets.

Beyond the environmental benefits, clean cooking holds the promise of improved public health, economic empowerment, and reduced gender inequities. Women, in particular, stand to benefit from time savings and improved health outcomes, allowing them to engage in more productive economic activities.

The road to smoke-free kitchens is long but terminable. With concerted effort, political will, and strategic investments, clean cooking can catalyze Nigeria’s energy transition and enhance the quality of life for Nigerians.

• Ayodele-Olajire is a sustainability professional, consultant and researcher at the Department of Geography, University of Ibadan.