Powering the Future: Policies to Advance Equitable Clean Cooking Access for Health, Well-Being, and Climate

Abstract

The use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a World Health Organization-designated “clean” fuel, dominates household fuel expansion in low- and middle-income countries and is the most widely studied clean fuel in terms of health, climate, gender, equity, and preference considerations. We review the current state of evidence on all clean fuels and argue that knowledge gaps create uncertainty that impedes action on cooking energy alternatives and encourages reliance on markets rather than policy-driven transitions. There is currently not enough evidence that any single fuel is a silver bullet for protecting health and environment. Further research into electric cooking could support a comprehensive household and community energy transition beyond cooking. We propose a set of policies that multilateral agencies, governments, funders, researchers, and nongovernmental organizations can pursue to assess how renewable energy should complement LPG in expanding energy access. This agenda is intended to help ensure a clean, healthful, equitable, and sustainable energy future for all.