Charcoal has been a major source of cooking fuel in Zambia, leading to extensive deforestation as trees are cut down for charcoal production. To mitigate this environmental impact, clean cooking policies in Zambia can encourage the use of more sustainable and efficient cooking technologies, such as improved cookstoves and alternative fuels like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and biogas. By promoting the adoption of these cleaner alternatives, the government aims to decrease the demand for charcoal and, in turn, reduce the pressure on Zambia’s forests, ultimately helping to curb emissions from deforestation. To this end, the GRZ is currently developing its clean cooking strategy and action plan (CCSAP) in collaboration with USAID. This SIG’s activities seek to increase the evidence base in support the implementation of these policies.
Current Activities: The FRF-funded project ‘Energy System Chef – The energy system implications of transitions to clean cooking in Zambia’, led by UNZA (IO3) will explore the energy system implications of mass adoption of e-cooking and develop a road map for a just clean cooking transition in Zambia. By focussing on modelling the potential emissions reductions associated with increased adoption of clean cooking technologies, the outputs of this project will support WESM activities within the ‘Energy System Scenarios for Zambia’ SIG (IO4). Following SIG discussions at the 2023 Zambia Annual Workshop, the project team will work closely with the USAID’s A2C team program to support the clean cooking strategy and action plan (CCSAP).
SIG members: USAID, UNZA, Open Energy Transition UK, Alternatives to Charcoal (A2C), Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS)