Improved cookstoves in low-resource settings: a spur to successful implementation strategies

Van Gemert et al. have very well described the effectiveness and implementation of improved cookstoves (ICS)/heaters in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).¹ Significant reductions in particulate matter (PM_2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations, respiratory symptoms, chest infections, and school absence were found. The results in terms of PM_2.5, CO, and health benefits were considerable, and therefore in line with previous studies.^2–4

Over the past few decades, various initiatives have been attempting to implement ICS to reduce household air pollution (HAP) and fuel use, and to improve health conditions.^5,6 Although positive outcomes linked to ICS have been demonstrated, and clean stoves and fuels are available, the uptake and consistent use has been low.⁷ We will shortly discuss a few key points that might foster successful implementation, including community-focused approaches, the creation of public awareness, usage information, the assurance of maintenance, the involvement of women and an appropriate business model.⁸

Adoption of a new technology does not usually happen overnight; it is a process influenced by a range of personal and surrounding factors.^5,9 Literature suggests that availability and affordability of technology is not enough, but that understanding of the cultural traditions, especially cooking traditions, and social–economic factors are vital for successful implementation.^4,5,9–14 Consequently, the ICS should be designed in such a way that it is compatible with social expectations and consistent with local needs and culture. The situational analysis in the study of Van Gemert et al. is therefore a recommendable strategy.¹

Studies have demonstrated low awareness and knowledge of health risks concerning traditional cookstoves.^15,16 Creating public awareness might increase uptake and potentially sustained use.^14,16 The important points to consider are identification of target groups, assessment of existing knowledge and perceptions regarding HAP and health, the kind of information that needs to be communicated and a pragmatic approach to communicate this information, for example via posters, media or local cooking demonstrations.⁸ One of the overlooked aspects in the implementation of ICS is the influence of social network.¹⁷ Limited studies have attempted to explore this dimension and have found that word-of-mouth among women is a primary persuasive method to adopt ICS.^12,14 Based on experience of a randomised controlled trial, conducted in urban slums in Bangalore, we experienced that if some women were not happy with the stove, they would influence their neighbours who in turn would refuse to even give it a try.¹⁸ To resolve this problem, we came up with an educational film featuring some women from similar communities who were enthusiastic about using the ICS and understood its benefits in terms of health very well. Social network analysis could be interesting and beneficial to explore when it comes to implementation of ICS.

Not only awareness needs to be created, but users also need to be informed about the correct use of the ICS. Any progress will only be made if women are using the stove in the correct manner.⁸ Van Gemert et al. demonstrated the use of the ICS before distribution, which might increase correct use of the stoves.¹ During our study in Indian slums, we experienced that, although we developed the stove in co-operation with the local community, people will not always correctly use the stove.¹⁸ For example, they will remove the top part of the stove. To inform the users about the correct use of the ICS, we developed a poster for each slum house.

The sustainability of ICS programmes has been, and still is, under debate. Apart from factors mentioned earlier such as affordability and compatibility with cultural habits, this might be due to lack of maintenance and repair/replacement of ICS at the community level.^10,14,19 Several studies have demonstrated that, after various years, stoves were not used anymore due to damage, and consequently people were going back to using the traditional stove.^10,20 It is therefore recommendable to ensure maintenance, repair and replacement of the ICS after implementation.²⁰ Women can effectively contribute to the distribution and repair networks because of their rapport with the local communities.¹⁴

Transport and hassle-free repair or replacement can be facilitated by a decentralised production. This would also open opportunities for earning livelihoods, especially for women. Women being the primary users drive demand for the ICS and therefore should be actively involved in the entire value chain, right from constructing and selling to installing and after-sale services.^21,22 This untapped resource can spur the scale-up of cookstove programmes.^21,22 Involving women in the entire chain might yield positive benefits for themselves and their families.²² Enhancing women’s business skills should be considered, to strengthen their confidence in running their own small business.⁸

Access to financial resources is a key factor in ICS programmes, as both the supply and demand side need the required capital to invest.⁸ Major funders of ICS have emphasised that a market-based approach is a prerequisite for a sustainable and scalable ICS programme.²³ Market-based approaches are seen as the most effective ways to allocate resources. There are several advantages of market-based approaches, including the lowering of prices and the increase in quality due to competition, the effective delivery of services—and related the exclusion of corruption from highly centralised polities, the increase in uptake because consumers are paying for the stoves themselves and the independency of subsidies or funding.²³ However, while we agree that organisations should be as independent as possible, a fully commercialised approach presents challenges for organisations who work in low-resource settings.^23,24 ICS are challenging products to sell, because among others, the market is not demand driven.²⁴ Besides, the investment in research and development, the promotion to adopt an ICS, monitoring and evaluation, the assurance of quality and the enabling of credit-based sales are challenging for small local businesses that disseminate ICS.²³ Regarding the latter, the price of the cookstove is often too expensive for the poor to buy in one time, while it is too low to qualify for bank loans.²⁴ Consequently, lower-income households are penalised by the pursuit of fully commercialised approaches. One solution is to simplify the stove, and therefore bring down the costs.⁸ Innovative business models like microfinance might also be considered.⁸ To avoid business costs associated with developing microfinance infrastructure, it is recommendable to work with existing microfinance institutions that are willing to provide a long-term loan for lower interest rates.²⁴ Ideally, the repayment rates of these loans are generated through fuel savings.⁸ Carbon financing can be another alternative in the global market for clean cookstoves.^14,25 While organisations should be commercialised as much as possible, additional (start-up) finance might be needed to also reach the poorest, especially because public health is at stake. ICS therefore require innovative business models.²⁴

To conclude, ICS have shown to be effective in reducing HAP and improving health in research settings, but implementation of the stoves on a large scale has been challenging. It is remarkable that only few studies have assessed best ways of disseminating stoves. We argue that good implementation strategies embark on context evaluations—identifying the needs and habits of the target groups—and co-creating ICS. This means that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Furthermore, public awareness needs to be created, demonstrations about correct use of the ICS should be given and maintenance should be assured. Leveraging women’s strengths can offer an opportunity for the dissemination of ICS. A business model with a balance between commercialisation and (start-up) state/donor support needs to be set up. An integrated approach involving different stakeholders and a cohesive vision would aid in successful implementation of ICS. Further research is imperative to gain insight into the pros and cons of different implementation strategies in diverse contexts. We urgently need to make progress in improving implementation strategies for ICS, as we can gain immense health improvements, reduce environmental impacts and create job opportunities for, especially, poor women. To fight the killers to which almost 3 billion people are exposed to, implementation of ICS should be a top priority.

Author contributions

M.T. and E.A.B. wrote the first and subsequent versions of the paper. CPvS critically reviewed the paper.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.