Access to clean cooking energy is not merely an environmental issue but a question of gender justice and public health. Examine the role of improved cookstove technology in bridgin

GS3 Infrastructure
Access to clean cooking energy is not merely an environmental issue but a question of gender justice and public health. Examine the role of improved cookstove technology in bridging India's clean cooking deficit, with reference to the limitations of existing policy frameworks.

Examine

  • 15 marks
  • 8 min
  • 250 words
  • Medium

The Hindu

Read article →

Introduction

Nearly half of Indian households still rely partly on biomass for cooking, leading to indoor air pollution, health risks, and drudgery. Thus, clean cooking is a public health and gender justice issue, not merely environmental.

Clean Cooking Deficit: Gender and Health Dimensions

  • Health burden: Household air pollution causes respiratory diseases, especially among women and children.
  • Gender inequality: Women spend hours collecting fuel and face exposure to smoke.
  • Time poverty: Limits women’s participation in education and livelihoods.

Role of Improved Cookstove (ICS) Technology

  • Reduced emissions: More efficient combustion lowers particulate matter and smoke exposure.
  • Fuel efficiency: Decreases firewood consumption, reducing drudgery and deforestation.
  • Affordability and accessibility: Cheaper and adaptable compared to LPG in remote areas.
  • Transitional solution: Bridges the gap where full LPG or electric cooking access is unviable.

Limitations of Existing Policy Frameworks

  • LPG-centric approach: Schemes like PMUY focus on connections, not sustained usage (refill affordability issues).
  • Neglect of ICS ecosystem: Limited support for R&D, standards, and large-scale dissemination.
  • Behavioural barriers: Cultural preferences for traditional chulhas persist.
  • Fragmented implementation: Lack of coordination across ministries and weak last-mile delivery.
  • Monitoring gaps: Insufficient tracking of actual usage and impact.

Challenges Specific to ICS Adoption

  • Performance variability: Not all improved stoves achieve clean-air standards.
  • Maintenance and durability issues.
  • Limited awareness and financing options.

Way Forward

  • Diversified clean cooking strategy: Combine LPG, electricity, and advanced ICS.
  • Stronger standards and certification for ICS performance.
  • Targeted subsidies and carbon financing to improve affordability.
  • Behavioural change campaigns focusing on health benefits.
  • Women-centric implementation through SHGs and local institutions.

Conclusion

Improved cookstoves can act as a pragmatic bridge in India’s clean cooking transition, but require policy recognition, technological reliability, and behavioural alignment to address the intertwined challenges of health, gender, and energy access.