China Stakeholders and Global Cookstoves and Fuels Experts Shape Next Steps Toward Wider Adoption of Clean Cooking and Heating Solutions
Beijing, China (PRWEB) May 19, 2014 -- Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves and China begin full scale cooperation for cleaner cooking and heating solutions.
- Air quality, health, environmental, economic and social benefits for women and girls from cleaner cooking and heating solutions highlighted
- Vice-Chairman of the National Development Reform Commission Xie Zhenhua officially welcomed to the Alliance’s Leadership Council
- Initial findings of China cookstoves and fuel market assessment presented
Full-scale global cooperation for wider adoption of clean cookstoves and fuels across China began today with the opening of a two-day national conference to share market knowledge and identify next steps for a national cookstoves action plan – involving government, business, manufacturers, international cookstoves and fuels experts, women’s organizations and community leaders. Initial results of a market assessment conducted jointly by the Government of China and the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves showed strong potential in the sector for in-country and global markets.
About 700 million people, rely on solid fuels for cooking. More than 1 million deaths a year are attributed to household air pollution exposure in the country.
“We all breathe the same air,” said Xie Zhenhua, Vice-Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, People’s Republic of China. “What is cleaner and healthier for people in the rural areas, who are often poor and have less choices about how to cook their food and heat their homes, will benefit all of us,” said Vice-Chairman Xie.
“A higher demand for locally-made cookstoves also supports new businesses and manufacturers. Many are ready to make and distribute the cleaner technologies here and in other places where they are needed,” he said.
Vice-Chairman Xie was officially welcomed to the Alliance’s Leadership Council during the morning plenary session.
The morning session opening remarks also addressed the health, environment and social benefits of an expanded national cookstoves plan.
“Energy and cooking innovations that meet the lifestyles and the needs of rural people can change their lives for the better in so many ways,” said Zhang Taolin, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Agriculture in China. “The new technologies can reduce illness and premature deaths, protect the rural landscape, and make daily chores less time-consuming for women and girls, so they have time for new opportunities.”
Global engagement to design and implement the next national cookstove program, and how to develop local and global markets for Chinese-made goods and equipment were other themes of today’s program.
“The size and scope of this national program is singular. I’m convinced it will lead us forward globally, as we test and roll out this public-private model for solving household energy challenges,” said Radha Muthiah, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.
“The global perspective and know-how we bring to this partnership with China has the potential to connect cookstove and fuel markets across Asia and Africa and strengthen South-South cooperation for health, environment, livelihood and women’s progress,” she added.
Initial market assessment highlights
Initial findings of a national market assessment shared today include:
- Robust potential to build on past successes in the sector and drive greater adoption of improved stoves and fuels in rural China.
- In the China context, user needs, preferences and choices for fuels and stoves are diverse. Targeted strategies based on consumer segmentation can drive faster, better results.
- Supportive government policies will foster business model innovation to strengthen the economics of the industry.
Other conference themes
Themes for the second day of the program (May 20) include:
- Continuing dialogue on the China Country Action Plan for cookstoves
- Investment opportunities for manufactures
- Achieving internationally recognized (ISO) standards for China cookstoves
Kristen Kelleher, Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves/UN Foundation, http://www.cleancookstoves.org, +1 (202) 864 5158, [email protected]
Share this article