Question

Which sectors (e.g., government, business, civil society) would need to be involved in a successful campaign to promote clean cookstoves in the developing world, and what would be the contributions of each

Answer 1

Answer:

Clean cooking refers to an initiate that tries to promote clean cooking habits in developing countries, e.g. cook with clean water, use a gas stove instead of wood or coal, etc.

People living in developed nations probably cannot understand how difficult it is for people living in very poor nations to be able to do certain basic things like cook a healthy meal. The efforts and money needed to change this are enormous and it requires that multiple stakeholders get involved.

The governments of developing countries must participate by allowing their people access to basic technologies like a stove or range. Many times, some kitchen appliances are extremely expensive in poor countries due to high taxes or other artificial barriers created or sponsored by governments. E.g. I have a friend in Argentina who recently purchased a GE refrigerator and paid more than $2,000 (US dollars) for a refrigerator that costs less than $500 in the US. Over 60% of the refrigerator's price are taxes.

Local businesses have to get involved because they are the ones that should guarantee that average citizens can afford kitchen appliances at reasonable prices. If local businesses are not willing to sell or supply stoves at reasonably low prices, then this whole idea is useless.

Civil society must also participate since they are the main stakeholders in this initiative. If they do not accept and embrace this project, then the project will fail.