About 15% of the energy demand worldwide is met by classic biomass such as firewood or charcoal. Some 2.8 billion people cook their daily meals with such biomass. The combustion of biomass during cooking releases greenhouse gases (GHG). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change notes that using improved stoves could save emissions equivalent to 0.6–2.4 gigatonnes CO₂ each year.
The objective of the project is to scale-up the market growth for improved stoves in both countries sustainably and long term in order to thereby reduce GHG emissions. This is achieved by supporting the supply side (producers of improved stoves) as well as the demand side (customers), through the following activities:
(a) Professionalising the production, expanding distribution and retail structures and promoting access to finance.
(b) Raising awareness among consumers and creating a favourable market environment.
In terms of the global component the knowledge generated by the project will be shared, with the aim of scaling up the approach.