UNIDO’s clean cook stoves in Tanzania to reduce deforestation

13 / 11 / 2019

By Marwa Nassar - -

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) introduced clean energy stoves in Tanzania’s major city Dar es Salaam with aim to reduce deforestation through depending on alternatives away from charcoal and wood fuel.

The new stoves will also contribute to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

UNIDO and its partners initiated the roll-out of 500,000 ethanol cook stoves to households in various wards of Dar es Salaam.

Speaking on behalf of the District Commissioner for Ilala, the District Administrative Secretary expressed appreciation for the joint efforts in enabling residents to be amongst the first ones to benefit from the clean cooking technology, allowing them to switch from charcoal and wood fuel to cleaner alternatives which, in turn, also reduce deforestation.

UNIDO Representative for Tanzania and Mauritius Stephen Kargbo noted that the project will create employment through the local assembly of ethanol stoves and will also have a positive impact on the health of women and children. In addition, the project will spur the growth of the ethanol fuel industry based on several feedstock options that are available through agro-wastes from sugarcane, cashew and other crops.

The roll-out is the first major milestone of the project funded by the 6th cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project is implemented in collaboration with the Vice President’s Office, Division of Environment, the Ministry of Energy, the Tanzania Investment Bank (TIB), the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and many others.